APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) - Public health officials want people to take precautions and protect their pets after a bat tested positive for rabies in Outagamie County.

The state says there have been 19 positive rabies tests in the state so far.

Rabies is most often spread to pets and people through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Human cases of rabies are rare in the U.S.

The disease is preventable with vaccination, but if an animal is infected without a vaccination it’s almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

“Keeping pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccination is the most effective way to protect your family and community,” Outagamie County Public Health Officer Natalie Vandeveld.

Ways to prevent rabies:

Dogs, cats and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against ra

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