City Animal Control Specialist Calls Number of Bats With Rabies 'Unusual'

Since the news has spread this week that an unusually large number of rabid bats were found in a Moorpark neighborhood, the issue of bats and bat control has been at the forefront of many  Moorpark conversations.

Here is the latest information that Patch has gathered on Moorpark’s bat crisis.

The type of bat identified in the rabid group is a species known as the California myotis, a very common species in Southern California.

They were located close to each other in two separate residences identified by City Animal Vector Control Specialist Mark Westerline as “somewhere near the Moorpark College area.” He confirmed that as of today 13 of these bats have been found sick or dead and 10 of them have tested positive for rabies.

Currently, one person has been identified as having been bitten by an infected bat and is currently undergoing medical treatment. Also one dog had contact with a rabid bat and is in quarantine for rabies.

“It’s a very unusual thing,” said Westerline. “It’s something that is normally not found. When they find rabid bats, it’s usually a scattered thing, but for unknown reasons, there seems to be a larger than usual number of these bats close together.”

Westerline pointed out the difference between normal bat activity and the kind of activity that may be of concern to homeowners.

“If they’re seeing bats foraging,” he said, “that’s normal, but if they’re coming out of the structure, they can call us for information, and if they find a dead bat, we’ll take it in for rabies testing.”

One of the residences with a colony of bats has been identified by Ventura County Health Services as needing abatement. 

“The bats were under the roof,” said Westerline.

The home will need to have the bats removed, a process that uses a special type of netting rather than the standard exterminator tent.

However, getting rid of these bats may really depend on the season in which they are identified.

“Right now we are in pup season,” said Westerline, “so if they’re looking to do removal, the homeowners really need to consult with a pest control company or wildlife refuge.”

Pup season usually lasts until the end of August, when the young bats become capable of flying.

If a person is bitten by a bat, they should consult a healthcare professional immediately. As Westerline explained:

“If they can safely secure the bat, that would be a good idea so the bat can be tested. Doctors would then treat the person depending on whether or not the bat is infected.”

The City does have information on its website about bat control as well as current information on any public health issues related to bats. The City encourages anyone with questions to consult the website or call the City’s Animal Vector Control Office at 805-517-6290.