SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego County public health officials urged residents to avoid contact with bats as the number of rabies-positive detections has increased ahead of the summer months.
The county has identified 14 rabies-positive bats so far this year, including four found in May.
Two of the rabid bats were wild bats discovered at the San Diego Safari Park in Escondido. One was found May 11 on a tree near Thorntree Terrace, and another was found May 29 inside the Mombasa Cooker Restaurant, according to county officials.
A third rabid bat was found May 23 in bushes off Center Street at the San Diego Zoo. None of the bats were part of animal exhibits, and visitors who did not touch a bat are not at risk, county officials said.
A fourth bat was found on May 16 at a private residence in Santee and did not expose people to rabies, officials said.
"Human rabies is almost always fatal without prompt postexposure vaccination and treatment," said Dr. Sayone Thihalilopavan, the county's public health officer. "Rabies can be transmitted through a bite or when an infected bat's saliva enters a cut, scrape, or the eyes, nose or mouth."
People who come into direct contact with a bat, or believe they may have touched one, should contact County Public Health Services at 619-692-8499.
Health officials reminded the public to always give wildlife space, immediately wash any area that comes into contact with a bat, and seek medical advice. Because bat bites can be difficult to detect, any bare-skin contact with a bat could be considered an exposure.
Officials also recommend keeping pets up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.
Rabies remains rare in humans due to prevention and treatment efforts. California's most recent human rabies case occurred in 2024 in a Fresno County resident who was exposed to a bat in Merced County.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
San Diego, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.