California health officials report rabies-positive bat detections

Health officials in California have confirmed multiple rabies-positive bat detections in different regions. In Arcata, a person at the Cal Poly Humboldt campus required treatment after being bitten by a bat that subsequently tested positive for the virus. This incident marks the fourth time in two months that a local resident in Humboldt County has required treatment following contact with a rabid bat.

In Long Beach, a bat has tested positive for rabies, marking the city’s first confirmed detection of the virus in more than a decade. While rabies-positive bats are detected in Los Angeles County annually, this is the first instance for the city of Long Beach since 2014.

Health departments advise that rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal once symptoms develop. Because bat bites can be tiny and go unnoticed, officials urge residents to seek immediate medical care if they suspect contact. They also recommend keeping pets vaccinated and avoiding contact with wild animals, particularly those found active during the day or unable to fly.