Puyallup School District Seals Edgerton Elementary After Eighth Bat Discovery

Key points

• At least eight live and dead bats have been discovered at Edgerton Elementary since September 14, with three found in the mechanical room.
• The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department recommended post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for one staff member and one student following potential contact.
• District officials have installed door sweeps and are using game cameras to monitor activity, but have not yet identified how the bats are entering the building.
• Pest control crews are scheduled to begin exclusion work this weekend, focusing on sealing gaps near the mechanical room.
• No bats from the school have been tested for rabies, as testing is reserved for animals involved in confirmed human exposures.

Background

This incident follows a broader trend of bat-related public health advisories across the United States in 2026. In September, Berkeley and Humboldt County issued warnings after multiple bats tested positive for rabies, leading to post-exposure treatments for children. Similarly, a bat in Michigan tested positive in August. While Washington State has only seen two human rabies cases in the last 75 years, the last positive bat test in Pierce County was in 2017.

How outlets are covering it

KOMO News emphasized the emotional response of parents, highlighting concerns about delayed communication and the risk of children picking up bats. MyNorthwest.com focused on the technical response, detailing the district’s use of game cameras and the specific strategy of pest control crews starting exclusion work outside the building near the mechanical room. Both outlets agreed that the entry point remains unidentified, but MyNorthwest provided more detail on the district’s proactive measures, such as installing door sweeps.

Why it matters

The situation raises concerns about public health safety in schools, particularly regarding rabies exposure. While the risk is low given the lack of recent positive tests in the area, the incident highlights the importance of prompt reporting and treatment for potential exposures. It also underscores the need for schools to address structural vulnerabilities that allow wildlife entry.

What to watch

Pest control crews will begin sealing entry points this weekend, potentially requiring multiple visits. The district will continue to monitor for additional bats using game cameras and will provide regular updates to the public. Health officials will continue to advise anyone with potential exposure to seek medical attention immediately.