Washington's Olympic National Park warns of rabid bats after one gets tangled in woman's hair

A rabid bat encounter near a suspension bridge in Washington's Olympic National Park has prompted officials to warn visitors after the animal flew at several people and briefly got caught in one woman's hair.

Because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, officials say any possible contact with a bat should be taken seriously.

Here's what to know

According to the National Park Service, the incident happened near the Staircase Bridge, a 210-foot pedestrian suspension bridge over the North Fork Skokomish River in Washington.

Park officials said that on Aug. 9 around 2 p.m., the bat ended up on a woman's head and also flew at other nearby visitors, creating concern that more than one person may have been exposed.

"This individual is at risk for rabies and should seek healthcare immediately, as well as contact the Mason County Health Department at 360-427-9670 ext. 405," the NPS said in its press release on the incident.

The NPS added that "rabies is a deadly virus that can affect any mammal, but bats are the most common carriers of rabies. It is usually transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or through contact with its saliva." 

The press release also noted, "Bat bites and scratches can be very small and not always be visible or painful, so anyone who believes they may have had direct contact with a bat should speak with a healthcare provider immediately."

Officials said pet owners should likewise contact a veterinarian if an animal may have directly encountered a bat.

More background

Rabies attacks the central nervous system and causes severe brain damage and death if treatment does not begin before symptoms appear. Of course, this makes avoiding rabid bats critical for human safety.

Yet, rabid bats are relatively uncommon. As the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife noted, "Less than one bat in 20,000 has rabies, and no Washington bats feed on blood." 

Bats also play important ecological roles. They pollinate plants, eat insects such as moths and beetles, and support ecosystems and agriculture by naturally controlling pests and through nutrient cycling. The NPS describes the animals as "vital to our ecosystem and human well-being."

At the same time, close encounters with infected animals may become more likely when people move through bat habitat along busy trails and bridges, and in recreation areas. 

In this case, the explanation for the encounter may be relatively simple: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife noted that bats may fly close to people's heads while chasing insects attracted by humans' body heat.

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