Bat in El Paso County tests positive for Rabies

A new report from the El Paso County Health Department confirms, a bat has been found in El Paso County.

This makes the 10th animal that has tested positive for the disease, including seven skunks, a dog and a fox.

“Anytime there’s interaction between people and wildlife, there should be some concern,” said Communicable Disease Epidemiologist Haley Zachary with the El Paso County Public Health department.

It’s coming in contact with these animals that matters the most.

“Anytime that interaction occurs in an environment that it’s not supposed to occur in, we start to get concerned that there’s something wrong with that animal. We will test it and try and make appropriate recommendations,” Zachary added.

Although 10 rabid animals seems like a lot, it’s nothing compared to last year’s numbers.

67 animals tested positive for rabies in 2018

“We had 60 positive skunks last year. It wiped out our skunk population and so this year, we’re not seeing very many skunks,” Zachary said.

The El Paso County Health Department put out this list of preventative measure you can take to ensure you’re keeping yourself, your family and your pets safe:

Vaccinate your pets against rabies by using a licensed veterinarian. Rabies shots must be boosted, so check your pet’s records or talk to your veterinarian. When walking or hiking with your dog, protect them and wildlife by keeping your dog on a leash. Keep cats and other pets inside at night to reduce the risk of exposure to other domestic animals and wildlife. Keep dogs within your sight (in a fenced yard, or on leash) during the day while outside. Contact your veterinarian promptly if you believe your pet has been exposed to a wild animal. Do not touch or feed wild animals. Wild animals such as skunks and foxes adapt to residential environments if food is available – please do not leave pet food outdoors. If people or pets are bitten or scratched by an aggressive wild or unknown animal, call your doctor and report to El Paso County Public Health at https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/report-an-animal-bite . Bat bites can be difficult to detect. If you find bat in your house and are unsure how long it has been there, do not release the bat. Contact Public Health at 719-578-3220 . If you encounter a lost or stray dog or cat, contact the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region for options at (719) 473-1741 .