Lemhi County

This notice is displayed for every county served by Eastern Idaho Public Health because the source did not identify a single affected county. Full Press Release Eastern Idaho – Following two separate incidents where domestic pets encountered rabid bats in Idaho Falls and Rigby, local health officials are warning Eastern Idaho residents that rabies poses a serious threat to human and animal health. Because bat bites can go unnoticed, anyone who suspects they, a family member, or a […] The post Rabid Bats Found in Bonneville and Jefferson Counties; Rabies is Fatal if Treatment is Not Administered after Exposure appeared first on Eastern Idaho Public Health. Full Press Release Eastern Idaho – Following two separate incidents where domestic pets encountered rabid bats in Idaho Falls and Rigby, local health officials are warning Eastern Idaho residents that rabies poses a serious threat to human and animal health. Because bat bites can go unnoticed, anyone who suspects they, a family member, or a pet may have been exposed to a bat must seek immediate medical attention before symptoms develop. “It is essential to contact your health care provider immediately if you may have come into contact with a bat,” said Jordan McAdam, Epidemiologist at Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH). “If your pet has caught or played with a bat or other wild animal, contact your veterinarian immediately.” While the pets were exposed to infected bats, rabies is preventable in humans and domestic animals through immediate medical attention. Bats are the primary natural reservoir for the virus, and encounters increase in late summer/early fall. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses all require primary rabies vaccines and routine boosters every one to three years. Even indoor pets can be exposed if wildlife, such as bats, enter the home. To protect yourself and your pets, EIPH offers the following safety measures: Protect Beforehand:

This notice is displayed on every Idaho county page because it applies statewide. It does not mean the source identified a county-specific case, exposure, closure, or local outbreak in this county.

The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) is issuing health advisories for Grasmere Reservoir and the Bruneau Arm of CJ Strike, urging caution when recreating in or near the water. Grasmere Reservoir is about 35 miles south of Bruneau on State Highway 51.

This notice is displayed on every Idaho county page because it applies statewide. It does not mean the source identified a county-specific case, exposure, closure, or local outbreak in this county.

Twenty-four rabid bats have been detected through testing in Idaho so far this year, more than in each of the past three years, and public health officials are also receiving more reports of possible encounters between bats and people or pets.