Bats With Rabies Found In Santa Clarita

Two bats with rabies have been found in Santa Clarita since the start of September, prompting public health officials to remind residents of proper procedures when encountering possibly rabid wildlife.

Of the 40 bats confirmed to have had rabies in Los Angeles County in 2024, 15 have been found in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Being surrounded by several National Forests and natural spaces, the Santa Clarita Valley is typically more prone to reporting wildlife encounters, which explains the higher number of reports in a small area of Los Angeles County.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting humans and pets that is transmitted by bite or scratch from infected animals, most commonly rabid bats in Los Angeles County. The disease is almost always fatal, and urgent treatment is required to prevent the onset of illness.

Human cases of rabies are incredibly rare in Los Angeles County. In 2004, a 22-year-old man died after a six-day hospital stay, which upon autopsy was attributed to rabies. An investigation later determined he had contracted rabies from a dog bite in El Salvador more than 15 months before he presented any symptoms.

Only one other case, that of a 16-year-old girl in 1975, has been confirmed. Public Health investigators concluded the teenager contracted rabies from a dog bite in Mexico nine months before her eventual death.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) advises the public to never touch a bat with bare hands, and to report injured, sick, or dead bats. Summer and early fall months are when rabid bats are most often found in Los Angeles County, especially during July, August, and September.

“Many of our local bats have very small teeth. Bites from bats can be too shallow and small to be easily detected and can heal over quickly. Bats found inside of a house with any access to people sleeping, children, or pets may have bitten a person or pet without waking them or leaving a visible bite wound. After exposure to rabies, a person must get urgent treatment to prevent illness,” read a statement from the LADPH.

Bats are a protected species, and it is illegal for members of the public to kill, harm or keep a bat, Public Health reminds.

Bats with rabies are more likely to fly in daylight, appear on the ground, or be found resting for long periods in highly visible areas, such as on the side of a wall. Bats with rabies may be found alive or dead and you cannot confirm if a bat has rabies just by looking at it, according to the LADPH.

Remember that the following rabies-related incidents are reportable to the Department of Public Health:

• Animal bites to humans (except those from squirrels, rabbits, rodents, birds, and reptiles)
• Domestic pet versus wild mammal incidents (for example, dog vs coyote, cat vs skunk, dog vs opossum)
• Bat exposures to humans or pets (for example – finding a bat inside your house, or a sick bat on your property

Reporting forms are found here and can be emailed to vet@ph.lacounty.gov or faxed to 213-481-2375.

For rabies consultations or questions about rabies – speak to an LACDPH  veterinarian, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. -5 p.m., at 213-288-7060 or email vet@ph.lacounty.gov .

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