A recent incident in Clackamas County has put the spotlight back on rabies after a bat was found to have tested positive for the disease, officials from the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed last Friday. The flying mammal, which had made an unfortunate collision with a window at a Lake Oswego home, luckily avoided contact with both humans and pets before it was tested, the Clackamas County website reports.

Summer months often lead to an uptick in bat encounters; these nocturnal creatures are the primary concern for rabies transmission in Oregon, and although this bat did not bite or scratch anyone, public health officials are not taking any chances, as rabies remains a severe disease. "While this bat did not bite any people or pets, we do want to remind people that rabies is a serious illness and it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family," Clackamas County Health Officer Dr. Sarah Present was quoted as saying on Clackamas County.

Local authorities have circulated preventive measures to reduce the risk of rabies exposure among community members and animals. This includes the vaccination of pets, sealing potential entry points to homes that could become wildlife havens and proper waste management to deter wildlife scavenging. Community members are urged to avoid contact with bats, and call professional services if sighted, especially during the day when the animals are typically inactive and visibility may indicate a health issue.

Compliance with Oregon's rabies vaccination laws, which mandate vaccination for dogs by six months of age, is encouraged by health officials; similarly, while not legally required, vaccinating cats is advised due to the stringent quarantine protocols for unvaccinated cats exposed to rabies, which, if not adhered to, could necessitate euthanasia as a last resort measure. An important reminder to pet owners, if your pet does come into contact with a bat, take it to a veterinarian, and remember that for dogs over three months, vaccination is not just recommended, it's state law, those with pets feeding on their property, wild or not, should recognize these protocols crucial, the county advises.