Health officials issue bat alert

Citing an increase in contact between people and bats, the Flathead City-County Health Department is advising area residents what to do in case of a bite or a scratch.

The department has detailed steps instructing how to preserve a bat that has either bitten, scratched or been handled by a person. Bats can be carriers of rabies and other diseases.

If someone comes into contact with a bat, the animal’s head must not be crushed. For an effective rabies test, the brain must be intact, health officials said.

To capture a bat, wait until it lands and put a clear plastic container over it. Slide a piece of paper underneath the container and carefully put on the lid and slide out the paper. 

Bring the container outside to an area with ample ventilation and puncture a small hole in the container. Squirt a few drops of engine starter fluid in the hole and wait for a few minutes.

If the bat continues to move, squirt some more starter fluid. Once the bat is completely motionless, call the Flathead City-County Health Department at 751-8130 and make an appointment to deliver the bat as soon as possible.

If caught during off-hours, refrigerate the animal. The body will be sent to the Montana state lab for testing and a fee is charged for shipping. When rabies test results are received, the department will call the person.

Bats native to Northwest Montana include several species of mouse-eared bats, big brown bats, hoary bats, silver-haired bats and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

For questions regarding bat exposure, call the Health Department at 751-8110.