May 21, 2026 9:20 a.m.  

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 a bat fund in the county has tested positive for rabies.

A joint release said this is the first animal to test positive for rabies this year, and the fourth positive case in Oregon so far this year. The last time bats tested positive for rabies in Douglas County was in 2021.

In this case, the Environmental Health Division coordinated with Umpqua Wildlife Rescue and the DCSO Animal Control Division to test a distressed bat after a concerned resident brought it in for care. The resident will be encouraged to do post exposure care for handling the bat, per Oregon Health Authority Investigative Guidelines for Animal Bites and Rabies.

County Environmental Health Supervisor Phil Kailiuli said while rabies is transmitted through the bites of an infected animal, and post-exposure vaccination is effective, the best plan is prevention. Kailiuli said, “People should avoid any and all contact with bats and other wild animals, make sure your dogs, carts, and ferrets are vaccinated against rabies; and if you are bitten by a animal, please contact your doctor or health care provider and seek medical attention immediately”.

Kailiuli said bats that are sick may be found lying on the ground, unable to fly or displaying unusual behavior. People should not touch the animal, and children and pets should be brought indoors. Contact the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Roseburg Field Office at 440-3353 or Umpqua Wildlife Rescue at 440-6895 for assistance.

The release said people should contact or interactions with unknown animals. Even animals that appear friendly can bite if provoked or startled.