(PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo.) — The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) confirmed a bat tested positive for rabies in Pueblo County.
Public health urges individuals to stay away from wildlife and to vaccinate pets for rabies. Bats should also be tested for rabies if they come into contact with humans or pets, or if one is found in the home.
“Rabies is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Rabies also can be transmitted if the infected animal’s saliva gets into a cut or break in the skin or through the eyes, nose, or mouth,” said Scott Cowan, Program Manager at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.
Bats’ teeth are small and sharp, and a bite wound may not be visible. If a bat is found, it is advised to immediately leave the area and take your pets away from the bat. Only mammals can carry rabies; bats and skunks are the main sources of rabies in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
“Never touch or handle a bat or wild animal,” Cowan said. “Protect your pets by vaccinating them against rabies through a licensed veterinarian. Rabies vaccinations must be given regularly, so check your pet’s records or talk to your veterinarian.”
Unvaccinated pets exposed to a rabbit animal must either be euthanized or undergo a 180-day quarantine, with 90 of those days in a specialized facility.
To avoid exposure:
Never touch a bat or any other wild animal
If you are bitten by a bat or other wild animal, wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water, then contact your physician and the PDPHE.
Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines that are not administered by a licensed veterinarian are not considered valid in Colorado.
If your pet had been exposed to wildlife, contact your veterinarian and report the incident to the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.
If a bat is found, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at (719)-355-9629 and notify PDPHE at (719)-583-4307 to report the incident.
