Three Snohomish County residents were exposed to a bat that tested positive for rabies this week, prompting health officials to remind the public of prevention measures around the viral disease.

The bat flew into a home in the rural, eastern part of the county on Sunday evening, according to a statement from the Snohomish County Health Department. It was captured and taken to a wildlife center the following day, and tested positive for rabies on Wednesday.

The three people exposed to the bat are receiving rabies prevention treatment, including a series of vaccine shots and a dose of human rabies immunoglobulin, which provides immediate antibodies. The treatment is nearly 100% effective in preventing rabies, the health department said.

In Washington state, bats are the only known natural carriers of the disease, and fewer than 1% of wild bats carry the rabies virus, the Snohomish County Health Department said.…