Young girl bitten by rabid bat near swimming area

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. (AP) — Health officials say a young girl bitten by a rabid bat at Liberty Lake is receiving rabies vaccines.

Spokane Regional Health District says the girl was bitten Saturday at Liberty Lake Regional Park near a marshy area on the south side of the swimming beach. Her mother, who had contact with the bat but was not bit, is also receiving preventative rabies treatment.

A separate group captured the bat a short time later. Health officials urge anyone who came in contact with the bat to contact them.

The district said Wednesday that lab tests confirmed this week the bat had rabies. Rabies is a disease caused by a virus. If untreated, it is fatal.

This is the first report of a rabid bat in Spokane County since 2007.