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Rabid Bats Surge: LA County Faces Record Outbreak
29 Sep
Summary
- LA County confirms 69 rabid bats, matching last year's record.
- Rabid bats found in every part of LA County since late summer.
- Most rabid bats found were Canyon Bats, suggesting intense local circulation.
Los Angeles County public health leaders are alerting the public to a concerning rise in rabid bats, with 69 confirmed cases as of September 28, 2026. This figure matches the previous year's record, and the peak season for bat activity is still underway.
This upward trend in rabid bat detections has been observed for over a decade, with late summer typically marking the highest incidence. In August alone, 24 rabid bats were confirmed, and one-third of all bats submitted for testing were found positive.
Rabid bats have been identified across all regions of Los Angeles County, including urban areas and parks. Notably, the Santa Clarita Valley accounts for 68% of the confirmed cases, primarily involving Canyon Bats, indicating a possible intensified circulation within this specific bat population.
Public health officials emphasize that rabies is preventable but can be fatal if untreated. While human cases in the U.S. are typically linked to dogs, rabies strains persist in wildlife. Exposure can occur through small bites or scratches, or contact with mucous membranes. Residents finding a bat near a sleeping person, child, or pet should contact animal control immediately for testing, without releasing the animal.
