Home / Health / Rabies Alert: Bat Tests Positive Near Irvine School
Rabies Alert: Bat Tests Positive Near Irvine School
3 Oct
Summary
- A bat in an Irvine neighborhood tested positive for rabies.
- The rabid bat was found near Canyon View Elementary School.
- Preventative treatment is crucial once exposure is suspected.
A bat found in an Irvine neighborhood has tested positive for rabies, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. The discovery occurred on Monday, September 28, near Canyon View Elementary School. Officials are urging anyone who had physical contact with the bat or witnessed someone touching it to call the Communicable Disease Control Division.
The rabies virus, present in an infected animal's saliva, can transmit to humans through bites or, rarely, by saliva contaminating eyes, mouth, or open wounds. Bats are a significant source of human rabies in the U.S. due to their small teeth, which can make bites go unnoticed. Rabies is almost invariably fatal once symptoms manifest, underscoring the importance of preventative treatment for potential exposures.
Public health officials recommend avoiding contact with wild animals, vaccinating pets, and taking precautions against bats entering homes. Promptly washing animal bites with soap and water and contacting a doctor is also advised. Los Angeles County has reported a record 69 rabid bats this year, while Orange County has documented 30 cases so far in 2026.
