07-21-26 Two Additional Bats Infected With Rabies Identified In Douglas County - 07/21/26

Joint Release: Douglas County Environmental Health Division, Douglas Public Health Network, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 2026

Two Additional Bats Infected with Rabies Identified in Douglas County

(Douglas County, Oregon) Douglas County Environmental Health Division, working in conjunction with Douglas Public Health Network and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division received a report from Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirming that two additional bats found in Douglas County, Oregon have tested positive for rabies. Nineteen bats have tested positive thus far in Oregon in 2026, three of which are from Douglas County, and the first positive bat we reported in May.

These two bats were sent for testing by Douglas County Environmental Health Division in accordance with Oregon Health Authority’s Investigative Guidelines for Animal Bites and Rabies. A Douglas County resident was bitten on the finger after picking up a sick bat during the day. They have been notified of the positive results and are receiving follow-up medical care. The second bat was found by a dog who was fortunately up to date on their rabies vaccinations. The owner has been notified, and the dog has received follow-up veterinary care.

In Oregon, bats are the only reservoir species that naturally carry and sustain the rabies virus in the wild. Other animals like foxes, skunks, or cats and dogs can become infected after contacting an infected bat. Phil Kailiuli, Douglas County Environmental Health Supervisor reminds us: “Please do not touch a bat or any other wild animal. To protect your pets, ensure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up to date on their vaccinations” For assistance and wildlife advice, please call our local Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Roseburg Field Office at (541) 440-3353 or Umpqua Wildlife Rescue at (541) 440-6895.

If you are accidentally bitten or scratched by a bat, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, Douglas County Public Health Officer offers this reminder: “It is important to not delay medical care after a bat encounter. To prevent rabies transmission, wash the wound with soap and running water and go to the closest emergency room to start post-exposure treatment.”

Other Helpful Tips:

• Never touch a bat with bare hands. If you see a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy.
• If your child or pet picks up a dead bat and you need to collect it for testing: only pick it up with gloves or another item, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer.  This preserves the brain stem which is necessary for testing. Deceased bats that are kept at room temperature for more than a day might not be able to be tested properly.
• Do not approach or touch a wounded animal, leave that for the professionals. Do not feed, try to catch, or play with wild animals such as foxes, squirrels, birds, skunks, opossums, bats, beavers, rats, venomous snakes or raccoons.

For additional tips about animal bites and rabies prevention visit here.   To report an animal bite or if you have questions or concerns related to animal bites or rabies, please contact Douglas County Environmental Health Division at (541) 440-4559 or Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division at (541) 440-4328. To reach these professionals outside of business hours, please call Douglas County’s Non-Emergency Dispatch Line: 541-440-4471. For more resources you can visit DPHN's Animal Bites webpage or Oregon Health Authority or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

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Media Contacts:

Vanessa Becker | Public Information Officer & Public Health Modernization | Douglas Public Health Network | Cell: (541) 817-6552 | Email: vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

Undersheriff Brad O’Dell | Douglas County Sheriff’s Office | Phone: (541) 440-4464 | Email: brad.odell@douglascountyor.gov

Jonathan Modie | Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division | Phone: (971) 246-9139 | Email: PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Tamara Howell | Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov