Rabid Bat Found in SW Bend Prompts Health Warning

A sick bat found in southwest Bend, Oregon, has tested positive for rabies, prompting Deschutes County Public Health to urge residents to take precautions to protect their families and pets. Key measures include avoiding contact with bats, vaccinating pets, and reporting any bat encounters to local authorities. Rabies is primarily spread through bites or scratches from infected animals, and while post-exposure vaccination is effective, prevention is crucial.