Witbe Island resident bitten by rabid bat…4th case in Washington state this yearⵈRecovers after week of treatment

A Whitby Island resident is receiving treatment after being bitten by a rabid bat. This is the fourth case of a Washington state resident bitten by a rabid bat this year, authorities said.
Island County authorities said a Whitby resident was being treated and recovering after being bitten by a rabid bat on the 1st. Another resident also reported seeing a large bat outside his house that day.
The state Department of Health (DOH) warns that bats are the only mammals in Washington that transmit rabies to other animals and people, and that a bite from one of these bats can be a life threatening.
DOH emphasized that any area bitten or touched by a bat should be washed with soap and get medical attention immediately, and urged people not to touch or approach wild animals, including bats. In particular, he emphasized to children that if they see a bat, they must tell an adult and be careful not to touch the carcass. In addition, authorities said that pets such as dogs, cats and pheasants should not be vaccinated against rabies.
Anyone who sees a wild animal or its carcass can report it to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.