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2 rabid bats found on Auburn sidewalk


File photo from King County Public Health
File photo from King County Public Health
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AUBURN, Wash. - King County Public Health is issuing an alert after two rabid bats were found in Auburn earlier this week.

Auburn Animal Control Services said two two bats were found on a sidewalk at the corner of B Street and 3rd Street NE on Monday. They said one of the bats was dead and the other appeared to be sick, but both tested positive for rabies.

Health officials are warning anyone who may have come in contact with the bats should get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

According to King County Public Health, rabies is dangerous and potentially life-threatening, but can be treatable if caught early.

Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. The virus is found in the saliva of an animal with rabies and is usually transmitted by a bite or scratch.

Anyone with questions can contact King County Public Health at 206-296-4774.

According to the State Department of Health, there have been 31 reports of rabid bats in Washington State so far this year, with cases is almost every county.

King and Chelan counties have the most cases with nine each.

In 2017 there were 22 confirmed reports of rabid bats across the state.



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