Newsroom

 

Bat Tests Positive for Rabies at Olympic National Park

A rabid bat was found at Staircase Bridge, Olympic National Park, Washington on August 9th. The bat was observed swooping at hikers and got caught in an unidentified adult female’s hair. If you or someone you know had any contact with a bat near this area, seek medical care immediately and contact your local health department. See the National Park Service news release about the rabid bat for more information.

English Español Chinese, Simplified - 简体中文

 

Media Inquiries

Media Resources

Health and Safety Alerts

Access alerts about food recalls, foodborne illness, drinking water, beaches, fishing, shellfish, and other urgent public health incidents on the Health and Safety Alerts page.

News Categories

News Archives

2026 (114)
2025 (237)
2024 (215)
2022 (11)

RSS

 25 Latest Articles

Sep 04 West Coast Health Alliance 2026-2027 respiratory virus season immunization recommendations
Aug 27 State disciplines health care providers: August 26, 2026 (26-057)
Aug 27 State disciplines health care providers: August 26, 2026 (26-056)
Aug 13 West Coast Health Alliance joint statement on federal Executive Order regarding childhood vaccines
Aug 05 DOH celebrates National Immunization Awareness Month, names 2026 Immunization Champion
Jul 21 State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers (July 21, 2026)
Jul 16 Blood donations needed during summer’s ‘100 Deadliest Days’
Jul 13 State disciplines health care providers (07-13-2026)
Jul 02 Hood Canal Paralytic Shellfish Poison at lethal levels 
Jun 24 High school students excel at creating public health solutions
Jun 16 Infant formula recalled because of link to infant botulism cases, including in Washington
Jun 12 Paralytic shellfish poison detected at dangerous levels in Hood Canal
Jun 12 High temperatures and lowest tides of the year can be a recipe for illness
Jun 08 State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers (June 8, 2026)
Jun 04 State disciplines health care providers (06-04-2026)
May 29 WCHA Statement on Psychiatric Medications and Mental Health Treatment
May 15 Washington health officials assisting with hantavirus investigations involving two different virus strains in two separate events
May 04 Washington State Department of Health honors drinking water heroes during National Drinking Water Week
Apr 30 Recent measles cases in Washington raise concern about undetected community spread
Apr 29 2025 Healthy Youth Survey results point to steady course in Washington youth well-being
Apr 28 Cleaner waters, safer shellfish: Washington reports progress in harvest areas
Apr 16 Washington State Department of Health Announces 2026 Northwest Radon Poster Contest Winners
Mar 26 State disciplines health care providers (03-26-2026)
Mar 26 State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers (03-26-2026)
Mar 17 RSV immunizations for infants available an additional month this year