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Dozens of rabid bats have been present in Los Angeles County this yr, 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 this point in 2025 — the second highest ever after 2021, which noticed 68 rabid bats, based on a division information launch.
“Bats are very important to the environment, 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, stated within the launch. “Anybody who might have had contact with a bat ought to instantly communicate with their medical supplier or contact Public Well being.”
Folks have been suggested to instantly report back to Animal Management any bat discovered inside, or open air if the bat seems sick, lively throughout the day, unable to fly or useless.
Publicity occurs every time saliva or tissue from a rabid bat enters the physique by means of a scratch, chew or contact with a wound, mouth, nostril or eyes, county officers stated.
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 baby, 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 sometimes peak in late summer time. In August 2024, 23 rabid bats had 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, based on the discharge.
The general public well being division has suggested individuals to by no means contact a bat and by no means enable pets to work together with them. In L.A. County, about 14% of bats that come into contact with individuals or pets check optimistic for rabies, growing to about 33% in late summer time.
Different good practices embrace:
- Cowl a bat with a field or container if you happen to 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 therapy if the bat can’t be examined or if it assessments positively for rabies.
- Vaccinate your pets in opposition to rabies. The sickness is deadly in animals as soon as signs start.
- Know the indicators of sickness in bats. Bats which might be on the bottom, unable to fly or are lively throughout the day could also be sick.
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