Dead Priest Lake Bat Had Rabies

Today, the Panhandle Health District reported that a dead bat, found along the shore of Priest Lake, has tested positive for rabies. A woman discovered the bat on July 7 ^th while picking up debris and unintentionally handled the bat with her bare hands. Tests by the Idaho State Lab confirmed the bat was infected with rabies. As a precaution, the woman is now receiving post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccine treatments to prevent illness. Rabies is a preventable disease caused by a virus that people and other mammals can get through the bite of a rabid animal, most commonly, bats. Rabies infection in humans and animals is fatal without timely medical intervention/ Melanie Collett , Panhandle Health District. More here .

Question: Have you ever had a close encounter with a bat?