On World Rabies Day, Public Health Warns of Record Rabid Bat Detections in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County is experiencing its highest number of rabid bats ever recorded, prompting the Department of Public Health to urge local communities to take simple precautions that protect people and pets from rabies. As of September 28, World Rabies Day, 69 rabid bats have been confirmed, matching last year’s record with peak season still underway.

Observed annually on September 28, World Rabies Day highlights global progress toward preventing rabies and eliminating the dog strain of rabies. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” reflects how coordinated One Health efforts among community members, veterinary and medical professionals, public health agencies, and other partners help reduce rabies risks locally and worldwide.

Rabies remains a public health concern worldwide. Although it is preventable, it causes tens of thousands of deaths globally each year, with most human cases linked to exposure to dogs in countries where the dog strain of rabies is still present. While the dog strain of rabies was eradicated in the United States through routine pet vaccination of pets, other strains of rabies continue to circulate in wildlife, including bats. All strains can infect any mammal and cause disease.

Rabid bat detections can vary year-to-year, but Los Angeles County has seen a steady upward trend for more than a decade. Peak season typically occurs in late summer. In August alone, 24 rabid bats were confirmed, with nearly one in three (32%) bats submitted for rabies testing by residents was found to be positive.

“Bats are an important part of our environment, but they can be infected with and spread rabies, a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “If you find a bat indoors or think you may have had contact with one, contact your medical provider or Public Health right away. And remember, never touch a bat or any wild animals. Immediately report any bat found indoors, or outdoors if it appears sick, active during the day, unable to fly, or dead, to your local animal control.”

Rabid Bats Found Across Los Angeles County

Rabid bats have been found in every part of Los Angeles County, from suburban areas such as the San Fernando Valley to urban areas like downtown Los Angeles, in office buildings, parks, schools, businesses, and residential backyards. One third of bat encounters occur indoors, where exposure risk is higher.

Higher Detection in Santa Clarita Valley

Of the 69 rabid bats detected so far this year, 68% were found in the Santa Clarita Valley, consistent with trends seen over the past decade. Most were Canyon Bats, suggesting rabies may be circulating more intensely within that local bat population.

Since 2018, Public Health’s Veterinary Public Health Program has conducted targeted outreach in communities where rabid bats have been detected. Increased public awareness and timely reporting may also help explain higher detection rate in Santa Clarita, thanks to years of local outreach by Public Health. However, the elevated numbers still represent a real and ongoing public health concern.

What Counts as Rabies Contact or Exposure?

Exposure to a rabid bat, or a bat that might have rabies, can occur anytime saliva or tissue from the bat could enter the body, such as through a bite or scratch, or contact with a wound, mouth, nose, or eyes.

Bat bites are very small, and feel like a pinprick, so they may go unnoticed by a sleeping person. Anyone who wakes up to find a bat in the room, or finds a bat near a sleeping person, child, or pet, should treat it as a possible exposure and contact your local animal control or Public Health right away.

If possible, do not release the bat so it can be safely collected by local animal control for testing.

Public Health Reminds Everyone in LA County: Never Touch a Bat

The most important rule is simple: Never touch a bat or any wild animal and never allow pets to interact with them. Even small or unnoticed bites can transmit rabies.

Other safety practices include:

Report bats right away: If you find a bat in or outside your home, especially near a sleeping person, child, or pet, carefully cover it with a box or container if safe to do so and call animal control immediately for collection and testing. Do not release it.
Seek medical advice immediately: Rabies is preventable with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a series of timely vaccines.
Vaccinate your pets: Rabies is 100% fatal in animals once symptoms begin, but completely preventable through vaccination. This includes vaccinating indoor-only cats and older pets. Protecting your pets from rabies is one of the best ways to protect your whole family.
Know signs of illness in bats: Bats active during the day, on the ground, or unable to fly may be sick. Contact your local animal control immediately for collection and testing.
Understand the risk: In recent years, about 17% of bats encountered by people or pets in LA County test positive for rabies, rising to as high as 33% in late summer.
Bat-proof your home: Search any openings ¼ inch by ½ inch or larger (to include electrical and plumbing holes) and apply caulking. Install heavy duty wire mesh over vent openings. Ensure all doors to the outside close tightly. Always use window screens, chimney caps and draft-guards beneath attic doors.

Residents can learn more about what to do if they encounter a bat by reviewing Public Health’s fact sheet: What To Do If You Find A Bat (PDF)

For more information, visit: http://ph.lacounty.gov/rabies

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