Rabid bat found in Ballard, just days after one in Green Lake

Two rabid bats have been found in Seattle within days of each other.

Public Health Seattle and King County officials say a bat was found on August 22nd on a sidewalk at the intersection and Northwest 73^rd Street and Eight Avenue Northwest in Ballard by a pedestrian.

Officials say it appeared sick and died before Animal Control arrived.

The bat tested positive for rabies at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory.

Officials also tested another bat for rabies that was found at Green Lake Park on Aug. 17.

And it was captured by a park visitor as it was being moved by four people near the Green Lake boathouse.

Google map shows the distance between both areas is only 13 minutes, about four miles apart.

Also back in June, the Seattle Times reported two rabid bats were found in Snohomish County,  just north of Seattle.

The county health department sent out a warning and advice on safe bat removal.

Those who may have come in contact with bats or their saliva could be at risk of contracting rabies and should call Public Health at (206) 296-4774.

Health officials describe contact as touching, being bitten, being scratched or any other bare skin contact with the bats. They also advise any bat contact should be considered a possible rabies exposure.

The chief of Communicable Disease for Public Health Seattle and King County, Dr. Jeff Duchin, says rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. Rabies can be prevented if treatment is given before symptoms appear.

Only two human cases of rabies have been reported by the state Department of Health since 1985.

Information from the Associated Press is included in this post. 

Cox Media Group