Bats and Rabies Awareness Campaign

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  Kitsap Public Health District is urging residents to avoid contact with bats“Bats are the only animal known to carry rabies in Washington state. Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of people and animals.Rabies infection almost always causes death. However, people who are exposed to rabies can prevent infection by getting fast medical treatment. Bats can spread rabies by biting, scratching, or licking a person or animal. Most bats do not have rabies, but it's important to keep your family and pets safe by avoiding contact with bats and making sure pets are vaccinated.”
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  Summer temperatures rise“null”
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  Kitsap Public Health District is emphasizing the risk of rabies transmission“Bats are most active during warm summer months. While bats play an important role in our ecosystem, they can spread rabies. Be careful around bats!Bats are the only animal known to carry rabies in Washington state. Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of people and animals.Rabies infection almost always causes death. However, people who are exposed to rabies can prevent infection by getting fast medical treatment. Bats can spread rabies by biting, scratching, or licking a person or animal. Most bats do not have rabies, but it's important to keep your family and pets safe by avoiding contact with bats and making sure pets are vaccinated.”
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  Bats are the only animals in Washington state known to carry rabies“Bats are the only animal known to carry rabies in Washington state.”
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  Rabies is a virus that can be fatal if untreated“Rabies infection almost always causes death.”
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  Health officials stress that even minor bites or scratches from bats may not be visible“Look all over your body for bites or scratches. Bats have very small teeth, so the bites may not be immediately visible.”
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  Health officials stress that bat teeth are small“null”
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  Immediate washing with soap and water is recommended after any potential exposure“Wash the bite, scratch, or contact area(s) immediately with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.”
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  Residents are advised to keep bats out of homes“Keep bats out of your home. Add screens to windows and doors and cover openings (even very small ones) that bats could crawl through.”
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  Residents are advised to seal entry points to prevent bats from entering homes“Keep bats out of your home. Add screens to windows and doors and cover openings (even very small ones) that bats could crawl through.”
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  Residents are advised to ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies“Vaccinate your pets. All dogs, cats, and ferrets in Washington state must have up-to-date rabies vaccines.”
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  Those who encounter bats should contact Kitsap Public Health at 360-728-2235“Contact your healthcare provider or call Kitsap Public Health District at 360-728-2235 within 24 hours.”
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  Those who encounter bats should contact Kitsap Public Health within 24 hours for guidance on rabies testing and prevention“Contact your healthcare provider or call Kitsap Public Health District at 360-728-2235 within 24 hours. Kitsap Public Health will get back to you within one business day.”