Two bats, one in Arapahoe County and the other in El Paso County, Colorado, have tested positive for rabies. The first case was reported in Arapahoe County near Quincy Avenue and Santa Fe Drive in Englewood where two people were exposed to the bat and have begun treatment to prevent infection. The second case was found at Grant Elementary School in northeast Colorado Springs, El Paso County, with no known exposures between the school's bat and any students or staff.
Rabies is a viral disease that can spread to humans and pets through bites or scratches from an infected animal. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that skunks are the primary carriers of rabies in Colorado, but bats can also carry the disease.
Public health officials urge residents to take possible exposure to rabies seriously, even if it doesn't seem like a big deal. Bat bites are tiny and often painless and can happen quickly while you're trying to catch the animal or when you're asleep. To prevent rabies infection, vaccinate all pets and livestock against rabies, keep them away from any wildlife, dead or alive, keep all pets on a leash when outside, do not feed or touch wild animals including baby animals.
So far this year in Colorado there have been four identified cases of rabies in animals. In 2023 there were 55 cases and 47 were in bats. The Arapahoe County Public Health Department advises that if you believe you or a pet has been exposed to an animal, contact your veterinarian and the health department immediately.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers more information on rabies prevention tips for humans and pets.
