Los Angeles County public health officials are urging residents to take precautions after confirming 69 rabid bats this year, a number that matches last year’s record. The warning, issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, comes as peak bat season continues and marks a concerning upward trend in rabid bat detections over the past decade.
Twenty-four of this year's rabid bats were confirmed in August alone. During that month, 32% of bats submitted by residents for rabies testing came back positive.
The Santa Clarita Valley continues to be a hotspot for these encounters, accounting for 68% of the 69 rabid bats detected this year. This pattern has been consistent for the last decade, with most identified as Canyon Bats, suggesting a more intense circulation of rabies within that specific bat population, according to Public Health.
County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis reminded residents that while bats are a vital part of the environment, they can carry and transmit rabies, a disease that is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. Dr. Davis advised anyone who finds a bat indoors or suspects contact with one to immediately reach out to their medical provider or Public Health. He emphasized the critical rule: never touch a bat or any other wild animal. Any bat found outdoors that appears sick, is active during the day, unable to fly, or is dead, should be reported to local animal control.
Rabid bats have been found across Los Angeles County, including areas like the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles. These discoveries have occurred in a variety of settings such as office buildings, parks, schools, businesses, and residential backyards. Public Health officials note that approximately one-third of bat encounters happen indoors, which carries a higher risk of exposure.
Exposure to rabies can occur through a bite or scratch, or if saliva or tissue from an infected animal comes into contact with a wound, mouth, nose, or eyes. Bat bites can be surprisingly small and might feel like nothing more than a pinprick, making them easy to overlook. Health officials advise that if a bat is found in a room where someone was sleeping, or near a child or pet, it should be treated as a possible exposure, and animal control or Public Health should be contacted. Residents are cautioned not to release such bats, as they need to be collected for testing.
Fortunately, rabies can be prevented after exposure through post-exposure prophylaxis, which involves a series of timely vaccines. To help prevent further exposures, Public Health officials urge residents to ensure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are current, continue to avoid touching bats and other wild animals, and report any bats exhibiting unusual behavior like being active during the day, on the ground, or unable to fly.
In recent years, about 17% of bats encountered by people or pets in Los Angeles County have tested positive for rabies, with this rate climbing to as high as 33% in late summer. Officials also recommend that residents bat-proof their homes by sealing any openings, installing heavy-duty wire mesh over vents, ensuring exterior doors close tightly, and utilizing window screens and chimney caps.
