Three Colorado Bats Test Positive for Rabies

A viral disease so terrifying that Steven King wrote a horror story about it: Rabies can be deadly in animals and humans and it is transferred by either a bite or a scratch. Rabid animals can range from coyotes to raccoons, cats, dogs, and more.

With how deadly the virus can be, it is understandable why you want to exercise caution when encountering an animal with the rabies virus. Spotting an animal carrying the rabies virus can be hard to spot, especially if the animal can fly. According to KDVR, a handful of bats have tested positive for the rabies virus in Boulder County, Colorado.

The three bats were found in separate locations and submitted to Boulder County Public Health officials by residents. While this is not the first case of rabies in Colorado this year, it can be used as a reminder to be aware of your surroundings when it comes to wildlife. In 2024, there have been 26 reported animals with the rabies virus reported in Colorado. 16 domestic pets and 13 people have also been exposed to the virus.

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Be on the Lookout for Rabid Animals in Colorado

Finding a bat hanging under the eaves of a house, under a porch overhang or hidden behind shutters or gutters is normal. However, you should not touch them.

Said Carly Wilson, Boulder County Public Health Environmental Health Specialist in a press release. The most common type of rabies exposure happens when people or pets interact with wildlife.

The rabies virus is almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms arise. To learn more about how to protect yourself and your pets from the rabies virus, see the press release from the Boulder County Public Health office at bouldercounty.gov.