Rabid Bats Found in Los Angeles County

This year, Los Angeles County has seen a concerning number of rabid bats, prompting health officials to alert residents to stay vigilant. They advise caution in case someone encounters one of these animals.

So far in 2025, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed 61 instances of rabid bats. This marks the second highest recorded since 2021, which had 68 cases, as noted in a department news release.

“Bats play an important role in our ecosystem but can harbor rabies, a disease that’s often fatal once symptoms show,” stated Muntu Davis, the county health officer. He emphasized the need for people who might have been in contact with a bat to reach out to their healthcare provider or the Public Health department immediately.

Residents are encouraged to report any bats they find—whether indoors or outdoors—especially if the animal seems sick, is active during the day, can’t fly, or is deceased. County officials explained that exposure to rabies can occur if saliva or tissue from a rabid bat enters the body through cuts, bites, or contact with mucous membranes.

Bite marks from bats can be tiny, and sometimes go unnoticed. Therefore, anyone who discovers a bat in their bedroom or near a sleeping individual, pet, or child should treat the situation seriously and contact local animal control. It’s crucial not to release the bat back into the wild, as it needs to be collected and tested.

Typically, rabid bats appear most frequently in late summer. In August of 2024 alone, there were 23 recorded cases.

The Santa Clarita Valley has reported the highest number of rabid bats in the county, with Canyon Bat species making up most of the cases. To increase awareness and reporting, Veterinary Public Health has been actively reaching out to local communities.

Health officials strongly advise against touching bats and recommend preventing pets from interacting with them. In Los Angeles County, around 14% of bats that come into contact with humans or pets test positive for rabies, a figure that climbs to about 33% in late summer.

Some recommended precautions include:

• If you find a bat in your home, cover it with a container, especially if it’s near someone who is sleeping. Call Animal Control for assistance and do not release the bat.
• If the bat cannot be tested or comes back positive for rabies, seek medical attention promptly for treatment.
• Ensure your pets are vaccinated against rabies, because the disease can be fatal to them once symptoms appear.
• Be aware of the signs of sick bats. If a bat is grounded, unable to fly, or active during the daytime, it may be ill.