The number of reported human and pet interactions with bats has increased over previous years, reported the Flathead City-County Health Department last week. An interaction is a bite, scratch or direct contact.

This year a lot of the interactions involve a cat or dog that is not vaccinated against rabies, the report said. The department is reminding residents that rabies in bats is a risk to both people and pets.

County public health regulations require that all cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. This is a change as of March from only dogs being required.

If an unvaccinated animal encounters a bat, the pet has to be quarantined for 180 days or euthanized, the department said.

Not all bats carry rabies, but the bat must be available for testing to know for certain. If the bat is not available, it is automatically considered a rabies exposure and requires appropriate follow-up such as preventative medical treatment.

For questions about bat exposure, people should call the department at 406-751-8110.