Chile reports 34 rabies cases in bats across 21 communes

Health authorities in Chile have reported 34 cases of rabies detected in insectivorous bats across 21 communes in the Metropolitan Region during 2026. In response, the Seremi de Salud has implemented an active epidemiological surveillance program, including the vaccination of over 2,200 pets in areas near identified cases.

In the Maule region, the Universidad Católica del Maule, the Seremi de Salud, and the Instituto de Salud Pública (ISP) held an interdisciplinary seminar in Curicó to reinforce vaccination protocols for dogs and cats. The goal is to prevent the wild virus, present in bats, from crossing over to domestic animals and humans.

While Chile maintains international certification for having eliminated human rabies transmission from dogs, officials emphasize that wild rabies remains a significant threat. Authorities are working with municipalities and local health centers to monitor potential contacts between infected wildlife and domestic animals.