A rise in the number of rabies-carrying bats in Riverside County prompted health officials on Wednesday to remind residents to take extra precautions to avoid contact with the creatures to prevent any risk of infection.
The Riverside University Health System’s Office of Public Health said the possibility of a bat bite should not be dismissed as ghoulish Halloween humor, but taken seriously.
“Rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms appear,” Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky said. “While rabies is extremely rare in humans in California, exposure through bat bites is a serious concern. 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.”
The year-to-date tally of rabies-infected bats located countywide stands at 18. The entire number identified in 2024 was 15, according to the RUHS.
It wasn’t clear how many of the bats tested this year were live captures, or dead ones turned over to health officials.
Rabies complications for canines and other pets may be difficult to detect right away.
“If a pet contracts rabies, it can take a few days or several months for signs to appear,” county Department of Animal Services Chief Veterinarian Dr. Amy Raines said. “Never feed or touch wild animals, and make sure pets are protected when outdoors. The best prevention for pets is rabies vaccination, which helps protect pets and the people who love them.”
Over the last several decades, there have been multiple instances of residents handling rabid bats, leading to heightened exposure risks and inoculations afterward. Though rabies is most often transmitted via bites, health officials have warned that secretions, such as saliva, can also lead to infection.
People can suffer infection if a rabies-carrying bat’s saliva simply enters a break in a person’s skin, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Rabies directly impacts the central nervous system. Incubation periods are often less than 10 days in humans. The rabies exposure protocol requires the victim to receive four vaccinations over a two-week span. Waiting until symptoms manifest themselves could be fatal.
“Anyone who has interacted with a bat should wash the area immediately with soap and water and seek medical care right away,” the RUHS stated.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention said about 100,000 Americans receive rabies vaccinations each year following bat and other encounters. Rabies is also known to show up in skunks, raccoons and coyotes.
Officials recommended never handling a live or dead bat and to report any exposures immediately to health officials.
Symptoms of rabies in pets can include unexplained aggressive behavior, fever, drooling or foaming around the mouth, as well as throat paralysis, making it difficult to swallow.
All dogs over 4 months old are required to receive rabies vaccinations in Riverside County.
Additional information is available at ruhealth.org/ruhs-public-health.
