Bat tests positive for rabies in Weld County

Published on June 06, 2024

A bat found on a residential property in Weld County on June 3, 2024, has tested positive for rabies. The property owner consulted with animal control and the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) upon finding a deceased bat that may have been in contact with a dog. The bat was submitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for testing, and WCDPHE received a positive result on June 5, 2024. The dog has been vaccinated against rabies and is currently under the care and supervision of veterinarians and its owners.

Health officials stress that all domestic animals, such as cats, dogs, horses, and livestock, should be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Summer is peak season for rabies in Colorado, and it is important to know how to protect yourself and your family, including pets, against rabies. Rabies is spread through bites from infected, or rabid, animals. It can spread indirectly when saliva or tissues come in contact with cuts, scratches, or other web membranes such as your eyes, nose, or mouth. In Weld County, rabies can be found in bats, skunks, raccoons, and a few other species. There have been no human deaths related to rabies exposure in Weld County.

Rabies is a 100% fatal disease if left untreated. If you suspect an exposure, immediately wash the affected area with soap and water, then seek medical advice from your primary care provider or go to your local emergency department.

For more information, go to weld.gov/go/zoonosis or contact WCDPHE at (970) 400-2290 if anyone or their pet has had contact with a wild animal. For after-hours (outside of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday), contact Weld County Dispatch at (970) 350-9600 and select option 4.