Lede:
Health officials in eastern Washington say they’re looking to develop a plan for larger-scale rabies exposures after an incident near a school. N-W-P-B’s Rachel Sun reports.

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Staff at Asotin County Health District in eastern Washington say they’re planning for the future following a recent rabid bat exposure near a local school.

Dr. Bob Lutz, public health officer for the county, says the health district would not be disclosing the specific number of elementary-aged children exposed. 

LUTZ: “Especially in a small community like Asotin, small numbers become even more important … It's more than one, but less than 20.”

Patients who were exposed are receiving treatment to prevent an infection.

Not counting the Asotin case, Washington’s Department of Health website lists a total of 25 confirmed cases of rabid bats this year. That’s up from just 15 two years prior.

I’m Rachel Sun, reporting.