Southwestern Idaho Man & Woman Treated For Rabies After Run in With Bat

A Southwest Idaho, man recently bitten by a rabid bat in Twin Falls County is being treated for rabies. An Ada County woman is also being treated, after coming in contact with a bat.

According to the Idaho State Journal the man was bit in Twin Falls County last week.

The bat was captured and sent to the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories for testing, where it came back positive for rabies. The man was treated and released.

It’s very important to remember and to also teach your children to never touch bats. People and animals can be infected just by coming in contact with a bat’s saliva or by being scratched by its claws.

Rabies, if left untreated is almost ALWAYS fatal to humans and animals

According to the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories Nineteen animals have tested positive for rabies across the state since June.

The Idaho Fish and Game says that “In Idaho, rabies occurs mainly in wild bats.  Wild animals including bobcats and foxes in Idaho have also been found with the bat form of rabies.  Cats, dogs and livestock can also become infected with rabies if they are bitten by rabid wild animals, and they have not been vaccinated.” And that “all cats and dogs that venture outside and may have contact with wild animals should be vaccinated for rabies.”

Most recently an Ada County woman was also treated for possible rabies when a bat landed on her…the bat subsequently disappeared so it was not able to be tested, so she was treated for a possible rabies infection.  Her story is below…..