Los Angeles County Warns of Record 69 Rabid Bats

Health officials in Los Angeles County have issued a warning to residents after confirming 69 rabid bats this year, matching the record set last year as the peak bat season continues. The alert was released on Monday, World Rabies Day, September 28, and comes amid rising numbers of rabid bats detected in the county over the past decade.

In August alone, 24 rabid bats were identified and 32 percent of bats submitted by residents for testing returned positive. Of the 69 bats found this year, 68 percent were from the Santa Clarita Valley, largely consisting of Canyon Bats, suggesting that rabies may be circulating more intensely in that specific bat population.

County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis warned that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. She urged residents to seek medical care if they find a bat indoors or suspect contact, and to never touch bats or other wildlife. Report any bat that is sick, active during the day, unable to fly, or dead to animal control or Public Health.

Rabid bats have been detected across Los Angeles County, including schools, parks, office buildings, and backyards, with roughly a third of encounters occurring indoors where risk is higher. Exposure can occur when saliva or animal tissue enters a wound or mucous membrane; bat bites are often tiny and can go undetected.

Officials recommend post‑exposure prophylaxis to prevent rabies and advise keeping pets vaccinated. Residents should avoid releasing captured bats, report suspicious bats to animal control, and bat‑proof properties by sealing entry points, installing mesh vents, chimney caps, and window screens.