Two More Rabid Bats Identified in Douglas County; Resident Bitten

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Two additional bats found in Douglas County have tested positive for rabies, bringing the county’s total to three confirmed cases this year.

The Douglas County Environmental Health Division, working with the Douglas Public Health Network and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division, received confirmation of the positive tests from the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Nineteen bats have tested positive for rabies across Oregon so far in 2026. Three of those bats were found in Douglas County, including the county’s first confirmed case announced in May.

The two most recent bats were submitted for testing by Douglas County Environmental Health in accordance with the Oregon Health Authority’s Investigative Guidelines for Animal Bites and Rabies.

In one incident, a Douglas County resident picked up a sick bat found during the day and was bitten on the finger. The resident has been informed of the positive test result and is receiving follow-up medical care.

The second bat was discovered by a dog. County officials said the dog was current on its rabies vaccinations and has received follow-up veterinary care.

In Oregon, bats are the only wildlife reservoir species that naturally carry and sustain the rabies virus. Other animals, including foxes, skunks, dogs and cats, can become infected after coming into contact with an infected bat.

Health officials are reminding residents not to touch bats or other wild animals. Pet owners should also make sure their dogs, cats and ferrets are current on their rabies vaccinations.

Anyone needing wildlife advice can contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Roseburg Field Office at 541-440-3353 or Umpqua Wildlife Rescue at 541-440-6895.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should wash the affected area with soap and running water and seek immediate medical care. Rabies can be prevented following an exposure, but treatment should not be delayed.

Rabies Safety Tips

• Never touch a bat with bare hands. A bat found on the ground or active during daylight hours may be sick or injured.
• If a child or pet picks up a dead bat and it needs to be collected for testing, use gloves or another object to place it in a sealed plastic bag. The bat should then be placed in a freezer to preserve it for testing.
• Do not approach or handle wounded wildlife.
• Do not feed, capture or play with wild animals, including foxes, squirrels, birds, skunks, opossums, bats, beavers, rats, venomous snakes or raccoons.

Additional information is available through Douglas County’s animal bite and rabies prevention guide.

Animal bites and rabies concerns can be reported to the Douglas County Environmental Health Division at 541-440-4559 or the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division at 541-440-4328.

Outside regular business hours, residents may call Douglas County’s non-emergency dispatch line at 541-440-4471.

More information about rabies and animal exposures is available from the Douglas Public Health Network’s Animal Bites webpage, the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.