Cache Valley Bat Tests Positive for Rabies as Utah Officials Warn of Fatal Exposure Risk
Updated
Updated · Cache Valley Daily · Jun 29
Cache Valley Bat Tests Positive for Rabies as Utah Officials Warn of Fatal Exposure Risk
3 articles · Updated · Cache Valley Daily · Jun 29
Summary
A bat collected in Cache Valley tested positive for rabies, triggering a public warning from the Bear River Health Department.
Utah health officials said bats are the state's primary source of rabies exposure, and the virus is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear but preventable with immediate treatment.
Health guidance tells residents not to handle bats barehanded and to submit one for testing if it is found in a room with a young child, a sleeping person or someone unable to confirm contact.
Anyone bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed should wash the area with soap and water and seek urgent medical care, while pet owners should keep dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated.