15 bats in Ada County have tested positive for rabies this year, and the latest confirmed case was reported this week, prompting the Idaho Humane Society to renew its public warning.
The group urged residents to keep dogs and cats current on rabies shots and to avoid bats that can be easily approached or handled, which may be sick or injured.
Bats found inside homes pose added risk for children and pets; if contact may have occurred, officials say the bat should be safely contained and tested rather than handled directly.
Ada County health and animal officials said residents should seek guidance on containment and testing while still giving bats space, stressing that the animals remain important to the ecosystem.