Dozens of rabid bats have been present in Los Angeles County this 12 months, inflicting county well being officers to warning residents in case they arrive throughout one.
The Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being has confirmed 61 rabid bats have been recorded to date in 2025 — the second highest ever after 2021, which noticed 68 rabid bats, in response to a division information launch.
“Bats are important to our surroundings, however they’ll additionally carry rabies, a illness that’s virtually at all times deadly as soon as signs seem,” Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County well being officer, mentioned within the launch. “Anybody who could have had contact with a bat ought to instantly converse with their medical supplier or contact Public Well being.”
Folks have been suggested to right away report back to Animal Management any bat discovered inside, or outdoor if the bat seems sick, lively through the day, unable to fly or lifeless.
Publicity occurs each time saliva or tissue from a rabid bat enters the physique by way of a scratch, chew or contact with a wound, mouth, nostril or eyes, county officers mentioned.
Bat bites will be small and go unnoticed so anybody who wakes as much as discover a bat of their room or a bat close to a sleeping little one, particular person or pet ought to deal with it as an publicity and phone their native animal management. Don’t launch the bat into the wild so it may be collected and examined for rabies.
Rabid bats usually peak in late summer time. In August 2024, 23 rabid bats have been recorded.
The Santa Clarita Valley, specifically, has recorded essentially the most rabid bats in Los Angeles County, with Canyon Bat species being the bulk discovered.
Veterinary Public Well being has been conducting outreach to communities to extend public consciousness and reporting, in response to the discharge.
The general public well being division has suggested individuals to by no means contact a bat and by no means permit pets to work together with them. In L.A. County, about 14% of bats that come into contact with individuals or pets check constructive for rabies, rising to about 33% in late summer time.
Different good practices embody:
- Cowl a bat with a field or container when you discover the animal in your house, particularly if it’s close to a sleeping particular person or pet. Name Animal Management for assortment and don’t launch the bat into the wild.
- Search medical consideration instantly for rabies remedy if the bat can’t be examined or if it assessments positively for rabies.
- Vaccinate your pets towards rabies. The sickness is deadly in animals as soon as signs start.
- Know the indicators of sickness in bats. Bats which are on the bottom, unable to fly or are lively through the day could also be sick.
