Oregon Public Broadcasting

Health officials have found five rabid bats in Oregon since the beginning of the year.  And nearly ten percent of the bats that turn up in Oregon turn out to be carrying rabies. 

So authorities warn people to avoid touching bats, and to make sure pet dogs and cats are up to date on their rabies shots.

Dr. Emilio DeBess is the state public health veterinarian.  He says it's not unusual for Oregonians to come across bats, especially during the summer. 

Emilio DeBess: "People find them in their yard, sometimes they open their window and they fly into their homes very often, sometimes they find their pets playing with them, they handle bats."

DeBess says if your dog has a bat in its mouth, you should wear heavy gloves to free the bat.  He says children should be warned not to touch bats if they see them on the ground. 

That's because rabies can be transmitted by means of the bat's saliva, even if a person or pet is not bitten. 

DeBess says nationally, twice as many cats as dogs contract rabies each year, probably because people often overlook rabies shots for their cats.