THE TAKEAWAY:
A record-breaking number of rabies-positive bats have been detected across Los Angeles County, prompting public health officials to urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets from the potentially deadly virus.
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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that 76 bats tested positive for rabies in 2026, surpassing the previous record of 69 in 2025.
"Bats are an important part of our environment, but they can be infected with and spread rabies, a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear," said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County health officer.
In August alone, 24 rabid bats were confirmed in Los Angeles County. Nearly one-third, or 32%, of the bats submitted for rabies testing by residents during that period tested positive.
According to the health department, Los Angeles County has experienced a steady upward trend in rabid bat detections for more than a decade.
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In 2025, 314 bats tested positive for rabies across California, compared with 229 in 2024 — an increase of about 37%.
In a public health advisory released Oct. 13, officials in Santa Cruz County also warned of a concerning rise in exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals, including bats.
Locally, nine bats had tested positive for rabies in Santa Cruz County as of Sept. 25, compared with three positive bats in 2025.
"It is important to keep pets up to date on rabies vaccination to protect both animals and people. Both dogs and cats should be vaccinated," said Dr. Maris Brenn-White, veterinarian for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. "Vaccinated pets provide an important second level of defense against rabies for pet owners and other people."
Adding to concerns, Los Angeles County health officials confirmed a rabies-positive raccoon in Westlake Village in September. It marked the first detection of a rabid raccoon in the county since 1973.
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The raccoon was found in a residential backyard, where a dog may have had direct contact with the animal. The dog was up-to-date on its rabies vaccination and was placed under quarantine.
Four people at a worksite may also have been exposed to the raccoon and were receiving recommended follow-up care.
Officials said the raccoon may have contracted the virus from a bat.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It can spread to people and pets through the bite or scratch of an infected animal and through infected saliva entering an open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth.
In some cases, a person may not realize they have been bitten or scratched, particularly by a bat, which has tiny teeth that may leave no mark.
Rabies remains a major public health concern worldwide, causing tens of thousands of deaths each year.
Early symptoms in people may include fever, weakness and headache. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include tingling or itching at the exposure site, anxiety, agitation, confusion, hallucinations and difficulty swallowing.
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
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Health officials are now urging residents not to touch or handle bats and to report any bats found inside homes or in locations where people or pets may have come into contact with them.
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