Rabies Found in 2 Bats in Snohomish County

SEATTLE (AP) — Officials say rabid bats have been found in Snohomish County north of Seattle.

The Seattle Times reported Friday that no people have contracted rabies from the bats but the county health department has sent out a warning and advice on safe bat removal.

Human rabies is rare in the state. The state Department of Health has reported only two human cases of rabies since 1985 and the last report was in 1997.

The state health department advises that any bat contact should be considered a possible rabies exposure.

Instructions for removing bats emphasize never using your bare hands and putting the bat in a container with air holes before contacting your local health or animal-control department.

The health department says 3 percent to 10 percent of bats tested in Washington are identified as rabid.