Bat Found In Lakewood Tests Positive For Rabies

LAKEWOOD, CO — A bat that was found in Lakewood has tested positive for rabies, Jefferson County Public Health said. The bat was found July 28 near West Yale Avenue and South Estes Street in the city's West Gate Neighborhood.

"If you came in contact with the bat, you are at risk of being exposed to rabies," Jeffco Public Health said in a notice. "Contact your medical provider as soon as possible to receive immediate medical treatment."

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system. The disease is always fatal unless it is treated before any symptoms appear, health officials said.

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Exposure to rabies is generally the result of a bite or scratch by an infected animal, and it is sometimes practically undetectable, such as a tiny puncture of the skin by a bat, health officials said. Treatment for rabies exposure involves a series of vaccinations.

Public health officials recommend that the following precautions be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to rabies:

• Do not handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. Contact animal control to collect the animal.
• Thoroughly wash any wound caused by an animal with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
• Keep vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. Keep cats and ferrets inside and dogs under direct supervision.
• Contact your local public health department or animal control if people or pets have been bitten or exposed to a bat.
• Contact your local animal control officer to collect the bat for rabies testing.

Bats are the most common animal source of rabies in Colorado. On average, around 15 percent of bats submitted for rabies testing test positive for the disease, health officials said. In the last few years skunks have been a significant source of rabies throughout eastern Colorado and the now the Front Range. Other wild animals that may carry rabies include raccoons and foxes.

Residents who find a bat that may have come in contact with a person, pet, or livestock should call their local animal control office. For questions about human contact with a bat, call the Colorado Health Information Line at 1-877-462-2911.