Walla Walla County Department of Community Health

09/28/2026

Bats play a vital role in our ecosystem, but because their potential to carry rabies, it's important to keep your distance. Signs of rabies in bats may include flying during the day, finding them in unusual locations (like indoors or on the ground), being unable to fly, or unusual behavior like acting weak, confused, or unafraid of people.

Bats should be captured only if there has been direct contact with a person or pet, or if the bat was found in the room of someone who is unaware about whether they may have been exposed.

• If you are bitten or scratched, clean the wound for 10 minutes with soap and water, and seek medical attention.
• If your pet may have had contact with a bat call your veterinarian.
• If you may have had contact with a bat or find a bat in your home, call public health.

09/28/2026

September 28th is World Rabies Day. Rabies is a rare but serious disease that can spread to people and pets through bites, scratches, and saliva of an infected animal. In Washington, bats are the only known reservoir for rabies, though any mammal can get rabies if exposed. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, rabies is preventable through prompt and appropriate medical care.

📰 Recently, the CDC issued a Health Advisory in response to a nationwide increase in reported human rabies exposures. Several high-profile outbreaks and mass exposure events highlight the importance of education and seeking medical attention when necessary.

🔍Signs of rabies can include aggression, excessive drooling, lethargy, paralysis, and seizures. Wild animals may act unusually tame or unafraid of people. Nocturnal animals like bats and skunks may be active during the day; and bats may be unable to fly or easily approached/caught by a pet.

🏥If you are bitten or scratched by a wild, stray, or unvaccinated animal, clean the wound for 10 minutes with soap and water, and seek medical attention immediately. If you may have had contact with a bat or find a bat in your home- call public health. Report sick, injured or dead wild animals at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/1550804e5fd743668049e06d5ad8836a

🦇 Bats should only be captured if there's been direct contact with a person or pet, or if the bat was found in a room with someone who is unaware about whether they may have been exposed.

In Washington, dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines are also available for horses, cattle, and sheep. If your pet is attacked by a wild, stray, or unvaccinated animal- or has any contact with a bat, contact your vet immediately.

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

Register today and receive an extra raffle ticket! The 2026 Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair will be held Friday, October 2, 2026, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Walla Walla Community College Building D (main building).

This free community event is open to all veterans will include a free veteran's dinner, VA benefits assistance, vaccinations, haircuts, VA services and support, housing assistance, employment services, surplus items, and WA and WDVA services.

Pre-registration is highly encouraged! Register at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=F-LQEU4mCkCLoFfcwSfXLZzTK3IXS7hDs9X3kikWR3lUNTJEOFBKVTYxMlQ1VlBQT0FLVUE5WlpaWi4u&origin=QRCode&route=shorturl

09/24/2026

This month, the CDC issued a Health Advisory in response to a nationwide increase in people being exposed to rabies. Officials recommend to:
• Keep your distance from wild animals.
• Keep your pets up to date on rabies vaccines and away from wildlife.
• Keep bats out of your home.
• If you believe you may have been exposed, seek medical attention immediately.

09/23/2026

The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health (WWCDCH) is reporting the county’s first case of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2026. The individual, who is now recovering from the illness, was most likely exposed to infected mosquitoes within Walla Walla County.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Anyone living in or visiting an area where WNV is present in mosquitoes can get infected. The virus is most often found in south central Washington, and less commonly in other parts of the state. Although mosquito populations decrease with cooler weather, WWCDCH urges the public to take protection measures to prevent mosquito bites and reduce mosquito habitats. Best practices include:
• Limit time outside from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use an effective, EPA-registered insect repellent when spending time in areas with mosquitoes. This includes buying or treating clothing and outdoor gear with permethrin to kill or repel mosquitoes.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks while outdoors when in areas with mosquitoes.
• Mosquito-proof your home by installing or repairing screens on windows and doors.
• Remove standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs. This includes flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water bowls and troughs, discarded tires, and birdbaths. If emptying is not possible, cover water sources or change water at least twice per week.
• West Nile virus can also cause serious illness in horses. To protect your horse, ask your veterinarian about the West Nile virus vaccine.

While most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms, about one in five people who are infected will develop a sudden fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or a mild body rash. About one in 150 people will develop severe illness, resulting in encephalitis, meningitis, or other complications. In some cases, it can be fatal. People over the age of 60 years old and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease are at greater risk for serious illness. Individuals who experience symptoms of WNV should contact their healthcare provider.

Learn more at https://dch.wwcowa.gov/news_detail_T23_R127.php

09/21/2026

Recent product recalls:
• Fettuccine recalled due to potential listeria contamination
• Non-dairy frozen dessert pints recalled due to potential presence of foreign materials (specifically small stones/rocks)
• Flour mixes recalled due to undeclared allergen.

Additional information included in the photo captions

09/21/2026

Whatever challenges you're facing, you don't have to face them alone.

The 988 Lifeline is here for you 24/7. Call, text, or chat 988 to connect with someone who cares. 💜

09/18/2026

We can all take action to prevent su***de.
Understanding the issues concerning su***de and mental health is an important way to take part in , help others in crisis, and change the conversation around su***de: https://988lifeline.org/learn/

09/18/2026

https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/doh-releases-2026-2027-childhood-and-adult-vaccine-schedules?fbclid=IwY2xjawUaSORwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVpEak5hcVdKNUZveGlBaGJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeq92a5h4RISiCHh3hR0hJTVJGpmhDnnCboLiOx58iuIkaQU9dOJowZ7mhxDI_aem_1vI7uv82KqIWQFz7kY5yjA

For immediate release: September 17, 2026 (26-059) Contact: DOH Communications Updated state standing order maintains COVID-19 vaccination access for everyone 6 months and older