A dead bat found in the Halloween section of an Olympia, Washington, fabric store has tested positive for rabies.

Thurston County Health Department said two customers who found the bat on September 9 had received precautionary rabies vaccinations.

A Washington state public health lab confirmed this week that the bat was rabid.

Health chiefs are asking any other customers at the Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Store who might have touched the bat between September 2 and September 9 to contact authorities.

County health officer Dr Diana Yu said no-one was at risk unless he or she came in contact with the bat.

State Health Department spokesman Tim Church told The Olympian that between a dozen and 23 bats a year tested positive for rabies across the state.

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