In 2014, forty-one rabid bats were found in Los Angeles County. 
Several were found in or near Santa Clarita (scroll down to see zoomed-in map).

A rabid skunk was also found in the summer, in the jurisdiction of the Long Beach Department of Public Health. The skunk was found to have been infected with rabies from a bat. This was the first rabid skunk found in LA County since 1979. 

Most bats in nature do NOT have rabies.
Read more about it in the lower section of this page.

Below is a list of the incidents in which rabid bats were found:

1. Agua Dulce. February. Dead bat found in swimming pool.
2. Los Angeles (West LA). February. Cat found bat in back yard, on ground. Cat placed under quarantine.
3. Santa Clarita (Newhall). April. Bat seen during the day hanging on an outside wall at a residence. It flew away and was later found on the ground.
4. Palmdale. April. Bat found alive at park. Park patron alerted park authorities, who submitted bat for testing.
5. Los Angeles (Koreatown). April. Bat found on an outside stairwell, was lifted by tip of wing and moved to sidewalk by employee.
6. Los Angeles (Century City). April. Bat found flying around in daylight under an awning at a business. Bat fell to ground, was covered with a box, and Animal Control called.
7. Topanga. April. Bat found alive outside a home.
8. Monrovia. May. Bat found alive inside living room of a home. Unknown how long it had been in house. One vaccinated dog and three people in home had potential for unrecognized bite. People referred to medical care for rabies post-exposure treatment, and dog will be quarantined at home and observed for 30 days.
9. Santa Clarita (Newhall). June. Bat found on patio. It was staggering as it walked. Resident covered bat with pool net until animal control arrived, and kept dog away from it.
10. Los Angeles (Mar Vista). June. Dog caught bat while it was flying in a park in daylight. Person bitten while trying to remove bat from dog. Person sought medical care. Dog was up-to-date on rabies vaccine before incident, was re-vaccinated after and quarantined for a month.
11. Santa Clarita (Newhall). June. Bat found inside a garage.
12. Bradbury. July. Live bat found in back yard. Bit person when picked up. A cat then attacked bat and a dog got near it, possibly came in direct contact. Neither pet was up-to-date on it rabies vaccination. Person referred for medical care. Dog and cat referred for veterinary care for rabies vaccination, placed under 6 month quarantines to observe for rabies.
13. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found alive on ground outside a home.  
14. Santa Clarita (Newhall). July. Bat found on ground in front of a garage. Hissed when approached.
15. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found outside of a home.
16. Stevenson Ranch. July. Bat found alive outside a home.
17. La Canada Flintridge. July. Bat found alive outside a home.
18. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Two dogs playing with dead bat. Dogs not up to date on rabies vaccines, so placed under 6 month home quarantine.
19. Los Angeles (Encino). July. Bat found on sidewalk in business area.
20. Santa Clarita (Newhall). July. Bat found alive hanging on side of a house in daytime.
21. Santa Clarita (Saugus). August. Bat found alive outside a home.
22. Santa Clarita. August. Bat found in the mouth of dog. Two dogs on property likely had contact. The dogs' rabies vaccinations were current, so their vaccinations were boostered, and they were placed under a home quarantine for one month.
23. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Bat found in side yard, hissing a lot.
24. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Bat seen clinging to outside of kitchen window screen, Later found on ground.
25. South Pasadena. August. Bat found alive on patio. Resident very aware of risk of rabies - immediately covered bat with container and called Animal Control.
26. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). August. Bat found outside of a home.
27. Los Angeles (Los Feliz). August. Bat found lying on its back on a sidewalk.
28. Los Angeles (Canoga Park). August. Bat found in pool. Fished out using net. Was still sitting in same place next day.
29. Santa Clarita (Newhall). September. Bat found in backyard. Flew toward resident. Two dogs and one cat spent were potentially in the yard with the bat, to be quarantined.
30. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). September. Bat found clinging to outside wall, in daytime, on second story of a business.
31. Topanga. September. Bat found outdoors at a business. At least one person handled bat with bare hands, advised to seek medical attention for possible rabies exposure.
32. Santa Clarita (Saugus). September. Bat found in a garage.
33. Los Angeles (Encino). September. Bat found in a storage unit.
34. Pasadena. September (Pasadena is in a separate jurisdiction - case shared by the Pasadena Humane Society). Bat found outdoors at a business.
35. Azusa. October. Bat found by a dog. Bat was alive on ground, lying on its back. Dog was up-to-date on rabies vaccination, so it got a booster vaccination and was placed under a 30 day quarantine.
36. Los Angeles (Hollywood). October. Bat found alive and weak on sidewalk in front of shop. Resident scooped into into styrofoam cup using piece of cardboard, and placed cover on cup and called animal control.
37. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). November. Bat found alive near a garage door in front of a house.
38. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). November. Four sick bats found on ground at home over one week. First two tested negative for rabies, third one tested positive. Fourth bat was discarded, not tested.
39. Woodland Hills. November. Bat seen flying in bedroom at night where two people were sleeping. Search for bat was unsuccessful. Bat seen again flying in bedroom next night - bat caught and submitted for rabies testing - positive. Two people referred to doctor for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
40. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). November. Bat found alive on the patio at a home.
41.  Long Beach. December. Bat does not appear on map.
    
    

MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES - Click HERE for CDC podcasts, videos, eCards and more about RABIES!

Lecture about rabies in Los Angeles County 2011

Centers for Disease Control - Rabies pages

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health web pages

Local Rabies Overview
Rabies Control Manual
Human rabies
2013 rabid bat map
2004 - 2013 rabid bat map

BATS AND RABIES
Bats are the animals that most commonly carry rabies in our county. However, only about 1% of bats in nature are infected with rabies. Most bats are not rabid, and they try to avoid contact with people and pets. Bats are good for the environment because they eat insects and pollinate plants. Bats are also protected by law.
Click here to read more about bats.

However, bats seen flying in daylight, or found on the ground, are more likely to have rabies. Never touch a bat or other wild animal. If you pick up a bat with your bare hands, you may be bitten and exposed to rabies.

Bats that bite a person or pet should be tested for rabies. The bite mark from a bat can be very small and hard to see. Bats that are found indoors near a sleeping person, young child, adult that cannot speak, or pet should also be tested for rabies. In these cases, try to gently trap the bat without touching it (such as covering it with a bucket), and call your local animal control agency. To see a list of local animal control agencies, click here. You should also talk to your doctor and/or veterinarian in these situations.

Last updated February 20, 2015