Bats test positive for rabies in 4 Nevada counties

RENO — The Nevada Department of Agriculture says eight bats recently tested positive for rabies, including four in Washoe County.

One bat also tested positive for rabies in each of Clark, Elko, Lyon and White Pine counties.

The department’s Animal Disease Laboratory says it typically confirms 10 to 20 cases of bat rabies a year. Eight of 81 tests this year have been positive.

Lab supervisor Laura Morrow says any bats, dead or alive, that may have had contact with people or domestic animals should be submitted to the lab for testing and reported to local health officials.

Morro says no one should touch a bat without thick gloves.

Rabies vaccinations are required in Nevada for dogs, cats and ferrets.