SODA SPRINGS, ID – A girl’s camp experience gone awry.

The Bear River Health Department said a group of young women from Box Elder County were staying at a cabin at Camp Chi-Keena in Soda Springs, Idaho that was apparently infested with multiple bats.

Karen Valcarce with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services said about 10-15% of bats test positive for rabies in Utah every year, so any time there’s a mass exposure, they take immediate action.

“Rabies is a disease that affects the nervous system of both humans and animals. It is virtually 100% fatal in humans once you develop symptoms. That’s why we treat any potential exposure as a serious risk,” she said.

Valcarce said actual cases of rabies are rare. The last case of rabies in Utah was in 2018, the first in the state since 1944.

“We rarely see rabies in humans in Utah,” Valcarce said. “In fact, in the United States, typically only about 1-2 cases are reported every year.”

Rabies can be spread through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. A person can experience flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, or nausea, which will then progress to neurological symptoms.

“Don’t wait until you have symptoms to get treated for rabies,” Valcarce said.

That treatment involves human rabies immunoglobulin and a four-dose series of vaccines over a period of about two weeks.

Jordan Mathis with the Bear River Health Department told KSL TV that the youth group is currently getting treated and there is no risk to the overall public.

If you have contact with a bat or another animal that could potentially have rabies, call your health department right away to assess your risk. Don’t try to remove the animal yourself – call animal control to capture it.

For more information on rabies, including an exposure assessment tool, visit rabies.utah.gov.

COEUR D’ALENE – Coeur d’Alene Police Detectives are actively investigating a business robbery that took place last month. According to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the incident occurred on June 16th at approximately 4:00 a.m. at the Fast Trip gas station located at 1720 Northwest Blvd.

Two male suspects, described as having a thin build and average height, entered the gas station wearing masks, hoodies, gloves, and pants. The suspects physically assaulted the employee and forced him into the restroom before stealing money from the cash register and a nearby file cabinet. The suspects then fled the scene on foot.

The attached surveillance footage stills show the unique clothing worn by the suspects. The Coeur d’Alene Police Department urges anyone with information about the identity of these individuals to contact Detective Cannon.

For any leads or tips, please reach out to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

MOSCOW – A Moscow home was damaged by fire on Wednesday night.

City of Moscow Volunteer Firefighters were called to the blaze on North Almon Street around 11:00. Crews quickly extinguished the fire which burning primarily under the home.

The flames did burn into a first floor bedroom. One adult and two children were at home when the fire started and tried to put out the flames. Two Volunteer Firefighters suffered minor injuries. Officials believe it was discharged fireworks discarded in a trash can that sparked the blaze. The Red Cross was brought in to assist the residents of the home.