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More bats have tested positive for rabies in Los Angeles and Riverside counties this year when compared to the previous year, according to public health officials.<\/p>\n
Rabid bats are found regularly in Southern California, and 60 infected bats <\/a>were reported in L.A. County between March and October 2025, about a third of which were in Santa Clarita.<\/p>\n That\u2019s up from 50 rabid bats found<\/a> in all of last year, and 42 in 2023,<\/a> according to the county Department of Public Health.<\/p>\n In Riverside County, 22 rabid bats were reported this year, authorities told LAist. That\u2019s up from 15 confirmed the previous year.<\/p>\n Barbara Cole, Riverside University Health System \u2014 Public Health\u2019s director of disease control, said the increase isn\u2019t cause for panic, but people should take precautions to protect themselves and their pets.<\/p>\n \u201cBats might be OK on costumes,\u201d she said. \u201cBut not OK in real life to interact with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It’s important to note that rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms appear, according to Riverside County Public Health Officer Jennifer Chevinsky.<\/p>\n “While rabies is extremely rare in humans in California, exposure through bat bites is a serious concern,” she said in a statement. “Bites from a bat can be painless and may not leave marks, so it\u2019s important to seek immediate care if you awaken to a bat in your home.\u201d<\/p>\n Where things stand in Orange County<\/p>\n In Orange County, the number of rabid bats so far matches the number reported last year.<\/p>\n Thirteen were reported as of October, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency, including one that was found on a sidewalk in the city of Orange about two weeks ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most of the cases came from South Orange County, a spokesperson told LAist. Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and San Juan Capistrano reported two each.<\/p>\n Most of the 13 cases reported last year also originated in South Orange County, according to officials.<\/p>\n In 2023, 10 bats tested positive for rabies.<\/p>\n How to report potentially rabid bats<\/p>\n L.A. County <\/b>residents can report animal bites or bat exposures to Veterinary Public Health by calling (213) 288-7060 or emailing vet@ph.lacounty.gov<\/a>. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n The bat will need to be captured and tested for rabies if there is a chance it came into contact with anyone. People in L.A. County should call their local animal control for assistance, which you can find a list of here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also download a flyer from L.A. County health officials in English here<\/a> and in Spanish here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Orange County<\/b> residents can report bats in their homes or an animal bite to OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848. You can also find more information here<\/a>, or download a flyer on what to do if you come into contact with a bat here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Riverside County<\/b> residents can call disease control at (951) 358-5107 for questions and local resources, or visit here<\/a>. Cole also recommends contacting animal services<\/a> and your doctor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n