This was the first such incident in Curry County since a rabid fox was found in 1994. Though cause for concern, such incidents are considered very rare. Unlike other areas of the United States, bat rabies is the only strain found in Oregon. However, other species such as foxes, dogs and cats can be infected as a result of contact with an infected bat. The rabies virus is spread by saliva, and exposures may result from a bite, scratch or saliva contact to the eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound, according to Dr. Emilio DeBess, public health veterinarian at the Oregon Health Division.
Human rabies is extremely rare, and there have been no cases in Oregon in the last eight years.
However, cases such as the bat found in Gold Beach mean that there is still a potential danger, DeBess stated. While stressing safety, biologists don't want people to become alarmed about bats in general. Bats are an important part of the ecology of Oregon. They are beneficial to humans because they feed on a variety of insect pests. For example, a single, little brown bat can catch 600 mosquitoes in an hour.