Alamosa County Public Health is reminding San Luis Valley residents to use caution around bats and other wildlife after a bat found in Alamosa County tested positive for rabies.

The county announced the positive test on Aug. 28. While the discovery of a rabid animal is cause for caution, health officials say there are simple steps residents can take to protect themselves, their families and their pets.

Rabies Doesn't Always Look the Way You Expect

One of the important points emphasized by Alamosa County Public Health is that a rabid animal may not necessarily appear aggressive or be foaming at the mouth.

An infected animal can instead appear unusually quiet, passive or confused. Wild animals may seem unusually friendly or lose their normal fear of people. Other warning signs can include difficulty walking or flying, unusual vocalizations or abnormal behavior.

Residents should avoid touching bats and other wild or stray animals, even when an animal appears sick, injured or unusually approachable.

Protecting Pets and Livestock

Keeping rabies vaccinations current is one of the most important ways to protect dogs, cats and other domestic animals. County health officials also recommend keeping pets inside at night, keeping dogs on a leash when appropriate and not leaving pet food outdoors where it can attract wildlife.

If a pet or livestock animal may have had contact with a bat or other potentially rabid animal, owners should contact their veterinarian promptly for guidance.

What to Do After Possible Exposure

Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Bats deserve particular attention because their teeth are small and a bite may not always be obvious. If a bat is discovered in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child or someone who may not be able to reliably say whether contact occurred, health officials should be contacted for guidance rather than simply releasing the bat.

Rabies in Colorado

According to the county's announcement, 43 animals had tested positive for rabies in Colorado as of Aug. 26, 2026.

That number does not represent every rabid animal in the state. Animals are generally tested because they displayed suspicious behavior or because there was concern about possible contact with a person, pet or livestock animal.