Health

Two Bats Test Positive for Rabies

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

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Two bats in Whatcom County tested positive for rabies this week, according to a public health alert issued on August 5, 2026.

Whatcom County Public Health emphasizes that bats can carry rabies, which is transmitted through bites or scratches, and urges residents to avoid handling wild bats. The alert notes bats play a vital role in ecosystems but pose a health risk if approached.

Residents with private water systems on Lake Samish are advised to be aware of increased microcystin levels in the lake, as per a July 29 alert. The county also issued a heat advisory and air quality alert due to wildfire smoke from Canada, with temperatures expected to near 90 degrees this week.

📄 Source: Whatcom County Public Health — https://www.whatcomcounty.us/RSSFeed.aspx?ModID=1&CID=Health-Public-Health-News-24

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Two bats in Whatcom County tested positive for rabies this week“This week, two bats in Whatcom County tested positive for rabies.”
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A public health alert was issued on August 5, 2026“Never Touch or Handle Wild Bats — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:19:56 -0800 This week, two bats in Whatcom County tested positive for rabies. Bats are found all over the world and play a vital role in ecosystems. However, they can carry rabies, a deadly disease that is transmitted through bites or scratches. Source: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=5643”
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Whatcom County Public Health emphasizes that bats can carry rabiesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Rabies is transmitted through bites or scratches“Bats are found all over the world and play a vital role in ecosystems. However, they can carry rabies, a deadly disease that is transmitted through bites or scratches.”
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Whatcom County Public Health urges residents to avoid handling wild batsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Bats play a vital role in ecosystems“Bats are found all over the world and play a vital role in ecosystems.”
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Bats pose a health risk if approached“Bats are found all over the world and play a vital role in ecosystems. However, they can carry rabies, a deadly disease that is transmitted through bites or scratches.”
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Residents with private water systems on Lake Samish are advised to be aware of increased microcystin levels in the lake“If you get your drinking water directly from Lake Samish through your own private drinking water system, be aware that a recent surface water test found increased levels of microcystin, a cyanotoxin that can be produced by blue-green algae, in the lake.”
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A July 29 alert mentions increased microcystin levels in Lake Samish“If you get your drinking water directly from Lake Samish through your own private drinking water system, be aware that a recent surface water test found increased levels of microcystin, a cyanotoxin that can be produced by blue-green algae, in the lake.”
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The county issued a heat advisory due to wildfire smoke from Canada“An Air Quality Alert and Heat Advisory are in effect for Whatcom County. Wildfire smoke from Canada may reach unhealthy levels this week, and temperatures are expected to reach near 90 degrees in parts of the county Wednesday and Thursday.”
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The county issued an air quality alert due to wildfire smoke from Canada“An Air Quality Alert and Heat Advisory are in effect for Whatcom County. Wildfire smoke from Canada may reach unhealthy levels this week, and temperatures are expected to reach near 90 degrees in parts of the county Wednesday and Thursday.”
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Temperatures are expected to near 90 degrees this week“temperatures are expected to reach near 90 degrees in parts of the county Wednesday and Thursday.”