The Brief

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.

Rabid bats are found regularly in Southern California. L.A. County officials announced Wednesday that 61 infected bats were reported between March and November of this year, about a third of which were found in Santa Clarita.

That's one of the highest totals ever recorded in L.A. County, according to the Department of Public Health, second only to 2021, when 68 rabid bats were confirmed. Last year, 50 rabid bats were reported in the county, and 42 in 2023, according to the department.

The Santa Clarita Valley recorded the most rabid bats in L.A. County over the past decade, largely among Canyon bats. That suggests "rabies may be circulating primarily within that local bat population," public health officials said in a statement.

In Riverside County, 22 rabid bats were reported this year, authorities told LAist. That’s up from 15 confirmed the previous year.

Barbara Cole, Riverside University Health System — Public Health’s director of disease control, said the increase isn’t cause for panic, but people should take precautions to protect themselves and their pets.

“Bats might be OK on costumes,” she said in October, just before Halloween. “But not OK in real life to interact with them.”

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.

"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’s important to seek immediate care if you awaken to a bat in your home.”

Where things stand in Orange County

In Orange County, the number of rabid bats so far matches the number reported last year.

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.

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.

Most of the 13 cases reported last year also originated in South Orange County, according to officials.

In 2023, 10 bats tested positive for rabies.

How to protect pets and people

Cole said there has also been an increase in the number of potential exposures and bat encounters with people in Riverside County, which prompted county officials’ calls for precautions.

“We really do see an increase in the numbers [of bats] in people's homes,” she said, adding that the animals can sneak inside through attic gaps and other openings. “There have been a couple of instances where a bat encountered a child on the school playground.”

Bats are the most common source of rabies in California, according to Riverside County officials, so you should never touch them with your bare hands. If you see a bat on the sidewalk or side of the road, for example, make sure to steer clear.

"Immediately report any bat found indoors, or outdoors if it appears sick, active during the day, unable to fly, or dead, to Animal Control," Muntu Davis, L.A. County Health Officer, said in a statement.

Cole also suggested sealing gaps around your home to keep bats from sneaking in. If you do end up coming into contact with a bat, officials recommend washing the area immediately and going to a doctor to see if you need a post-exposure vaccination.

Rabid bat detections in L.A. County typically peak in late summer, according to the Department of Public Health. For example, nearly two dozen rabid bats were confirmed in August 2024.

What to watch for in pets

If your pet gets rabies, it can take days or even months for symptoms to appear, according to Amy Raines, chief veterinarian for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Symptoms of rabies in dogs and cats can include:

• Increased aggression, irritability or lethargy
• Mild fever
• Difficulty walking or lack of coordination
• Drooling or foaming at the mouth due to difficulty swallowing
• Paralysis in the throat or jaw, making it difficult to eat or drink

"Never feed or touch wild animals, and make sure pets are protected when outdoors,” Raines said in a statement.

The best prevention is getting your pets vaccinated against rabies, Raines said, which helps protect furry friends and the humans who love them.

Pets should be vaccinated for rabies when they’re a few months old and receive regular boosters throughout their life.

Los Angeles police officers shot and killed a man who appeared to be armed with a rifle outside the California Science Center in Exposition Park on Thursday morning, according to LAPD Deputy Chief Marc Reina.

Reina said police do not yet know the identity of man, who they estimate was about 35 years old.

No police or other community members were injured in the incident, Reina said. The science center was placed briefly on lockdown but reopened. The north side of the museum remains closed, the deputy chief said.

Reina said a motorcycle cop initially spotted the man around 9:30 a.m. carrying what appeared to be a rifle and walking west down State Drive, a small road that runs between the science center and Exposition Park Rose Garden.

Multiple cops responded to the scene and faced off with the man. The subject continued down State Drive, Reina said, before police opened fire.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene and pronounced the man dead, Reina said.

The incident will be investigated by department use-of-force investigators, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the LAPD’s inspector general, the deputy chief said.

Investigators have not yet determined what prompted police to open fire, Reina said. Police do not believe the man fired his weapon.

Here's what witnesses saw

Stacey Hutchinson said he was sitting on a bench along State Drive drinking a cup of coffee when the incident unfolded.

He said the man appeared in good spirits and greeted him nonchalantly as he walked up the street before taking a seat. Hutchinson said he saw the man carrying what appeared to be a long gun.

Police initially responded with bean bag guns, Hutchinson said, but drew firearms when the man picked up the weapon.

Police opened fire after the man pointed the apparent rifle in their direction, Hutchinson said.

The man did not appear to be trying to enter the science center, Hutchinson said, and appeared to remain calm until police asked him to drop his weapon.