Rabid bats are on the rise in parts of SoCal. Here's what you need to do

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, and 60 infected bats were reported in L.A. County between March and October 2025, about a third of which were in Santa Clarita.

That’s up from 50 rabid bats found in all of last year, and 42 in 2023, according to the county Department of Public Health.

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. “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.

“Bats out during the day, ... looking like they can't fly, they're on the ground, they usually are ill,” Cole said.

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.

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.