Bat tests positive for rabies in Lincoln County

Jun 05, 2023

LIBBY - A bat has tested positive for rabies in Lincoln County.

Lincoln County Health Department officials are urging residents and visitors to be aware of the risk of exposure to rabies as it is a fatal disease.

Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal, a social media post states. Preventive treatment to stop the virus from causing illness is important and given to anyone who may have been exposed to rabies.

“People can be exposed to a bat and not even know it,” said Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) Public Health Manager Jennifer McCully. “If a person has physical contact with a bat or a bat is found in an area where contact may have occurred, such as a bedroom, the bat should be tested for rabies if possible.”

If you or your family may have been exposed to a bat, please call Lincoln County Health Department at 406-283-2465 to discuss possible exposure.

If someone is bitten by a domestic dog, cat or ferret, the animal can be observed for signs of rabies, almost always avoiding the need for treatment. If any animal cannot be located, observed, or tested, a person may need to undergo a series of shots to prevent rabies.

LCHD would like to remind everyone of the following rabies prevention tips:

For additional information contact the Lincoln County Health Department at 406-283-2465.