More rabid bats reported in Idaho this year than 2024, 2025 combined

Nicole Blanchard, The Idaho Statesman on Sep 2, 2026

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BOISE, Idaho — Idaho has seen an increase in the number of bats that have tested positive for rabies this year, as well as the number of possible contacts between bats and humans or pets, prompting a warning from the Idaho departments of Health and Welfare and Fish and Game.

In a joint news release Wednesday, the departments said 24 bats across the state have tested positive for rabies so far in 2026 — more than in each of the past three years. In 2025, 2024 and 2023, Health and Welfare confirmed rabies in 11, 10 and 16 bats, respectively, according to infectious disease data.

Officials said it’s not clear why public health districts have seen a spike in interactions between bats and humans or pets, though they said wildfire smoke or Idaho’s growing population could play a role.

Public health officials said reported possible bat exposures to Central District Health — which covers Ada, Boise, Valley and Elmore counties — have more than doubled from last year, though Health and Welfare did not respond to a request for more information.

Infectious disease data shows rabies samples have been submitted from 26 bats in Ada County in 2026, but it’s unclear how many of those samples have been positive. The Idaho Humane Society reported last month that at least one confirmed rabies case this year involved a bat from Ada County.

Officials said in the news release that anyone with a suspected exposure to or contact with a bat should seek prompt guidance. Rabies, which is a nervous system disease that is nearly always fatal, can be prevented post-exposure with proper response.

Dr. Christine Hahn, Idaho state epidemiologist and public health medical director, noted that most bats do not carry rabies but because of the severity of the disease, exposures must be taken seriously.

“Prompt wound care and a human rabies vaccine series are effective in preventing rabies in people who have been exposed,” Hahn said in the news release.

Health and Welfare urged people to avoid handling bats and contact Fish and Game if they find a bat that appears to be sick or injured. Possible bat exposures — including waking up with a bat in the same room — should be reported to your local health district.

Experts also strongly encourage vaccinating pets against rabies and ensuring vaccinations are up to date. Rabies vaccinations for pets are required by law in Ada County.

While rabies infections in humans are rare, they’re not unheard of in Idaho. In 2021, a Boise County man died after developing the disease from an unreported bat encounter. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that contaminated tissue from a rabies-infected Idaho man had been donated to recipients around the United States in late 2024, resulting in the death of one organ recipient.

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