Health

Bremerton Warns of Bat Rabies Risk

Sunday, June 28, 2026

2 min read

🤖 By Aiden

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Kitsap Public Health District is warning Bremerton residents about the risk of rabies from bats during summer months. Bats are the only animals in Washington state known to carry rabies, which can be fatal if untreated. The health district emphasizes that most bats do not have rabies but advises avoiding contact and ensuring pets are vaccinated.

Residents are urged to keep bats out of homes by sealing entry points and not touching bats, even if they appear injured. If contact occurs, wash the area immediately with soap and water for 10 minutes, and contact Kitsap Public Health at 360-728-2235 within 24 hours. Bats can spread rabies through bites, scratches, or licks, and their small teeth may leave barely visible marks.

The health district notes that rabies infection is almost always fatal without prompt medical treatment. Vaccinating pets is required by state law for dogs, cats, and ferrets. More information is available on the Kitsap Public Health website and through the CDC.

📄 Source: Local Government — https://www.kitsappublichealth.org/post/don-t-touch-bats-protect-yourself-from-rabies

Checked against the public record12 of 13 claims · 92%

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

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Kitsap Public Health District is warning Bremerton residents about the risk of rabies from bats during summer months.Not found in the source record — unverified.
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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 can be fatal if untreated.“Rabies infection almost always causes death.”
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Most bats do not have rabies.“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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Residents are urged to keep bats out of homes by sealing entry points.“Preventing exposure to rabiesKeep 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 not touch bats, even if they appear injured.“Never pick up a bat with bare hands, even if it appears sick or injured.”
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If contact occurs, wash the area immediately with soap and water for 10 minutes.“Wash the bite, scratch, or contact area(s) immediately with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.”
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Residents should contact Kitsap Public Health at 360-728-2235 within 24 hours.“Contact your healthcare provider or call Kitsap Public Health District at 360-728-2235 within 24 hours.”
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Bats can spread rabies through bites, scratches, or licks.“Bats can spread rabies by biting, scratching, or licking a person or animal.”
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Bats' small teeth may leave barely visible marks.“Bats have very small teeth, so the bites may not be immediately visible.”
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Rabies infection is almost always fatal without prompt medical treatment.“Rabies infection almost always causes death. However, people who are exposed to rabies can prevent infection by getting fast medical treatment.”
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Vaccinating pets is required by state law for dogs, cats, and ferrets.“All dogs, cats, and ferrets in Washington state must have up-to-date rabies vaccines.”
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More information is available on the Kitsap Public Health website and through the CDC.“Bats and rabies | Kitsap Public HealthBats in Homes & Buildings | Bat Conservation InternationalRabies activity in WA | WA Department of HealthLiving with bats | Washington Department of Fish and WildlifeAbout rabies | CDC Source: https://www.kitsappublichealth.org/post/don-t-touch-bats-protect-yourself-from-rabies”