Home / Health / Rabid Bat Falls on Diner in San Diego County
Rabid Bat Falls on Diner in San Diego County
24 Jul
Summary
- A bat carrying rabies fell into a restaurant in Vista, California.
- The bat tested positive for rabies after being handled by a patron.
- Health officials urge anyone in contact to seek medical attention.
Health authorities are actively searching for individuals who may have had contact with a bat that fell into a north San Diego County restaurant on Sunday. The incident occurred at the Yellow Deli in Vista when the rabid animal landed on a table during a family's lunch.
After the bat's unexpected arrival, a patron secured it with a towel and transported it to the Humane Society. Subsequent testing by the San Diego County Public Health Laboratory confirmed the bat was carrying rabies.
Health officials are warning anyone who handled the bat or might have been exposed to seek prompt medical evaluation. Although direct skin contact is not believed to have happened, treatment for rabies exposure is highly effective if administered soon after potential contact. Rabies, if untreated, is almost always fatal and can take weeks or months to show symptoms.
As of the report, 22 bats have tested positive for rabies in San Diego County in 2026, surpassing the 21 cases from all of 2025. In contrast, Los Angeles County has reported 31 rabid bat cases in 2026, primarily in the Santa Clarita Valley region. Health experts advise respecting wildlife and avoiding contact with bats, which are vital to the local ecosystem.
