3 Snohomish County residents exposed to rabid bat, undergoing preventative treatment

EVERETT — Three Snohomish County residents are receiving preventative treatment for rabies after being exposed to a bat that tested positive for the disease, according to a Friday press release from the Snohomish County Health Department.

The case is the first positive rabies test for a bat in Snohomish County since 2023, according to the release.

On Sunday night, the bat flew into a private home in rural eastern Snohomish County. The next day, the bat was captured and taken to a wildlife center. On Wednesday, test results from the Washington State Public Health Laboratory showed that the bat was positive for rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. The disease is almost always fatal if not treated quickly, health officials said. Humans can contract the disease through scratches or bites from infected animals.

https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/05/29/3-snohomish-county-residents-exposed-to-rabid-bat-undergoing-preventative-treatment/