The Nevada Department of Agriculture Animal Disease Laboratory has confirmed eight positive rabies cases in bats in Washoe, Clark, Elko, Lyon and White Pine Counties. Rabies is common in bats throughout Nevada, and bat activity tends to increase between the months of May and October. Any bats, dead or alive, that may have been in contact with people or domestic animals should immediately be submitted to the Animal Disease Laboratory for testing and reported to county animal control and health authorities, however, contact the lab or your local animal control agency before attempting to pick up a bat. Every year, the Animal Disease Laboratory confirms between 10 and 20 cases of bat rabies. To date, the lab has tested 81 bats and eight were positive for rabies, four in Washoe County and one each in Elko, Clark, Lyon and White Pine Counties.