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2 clusters · 7 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Rabies detections in California bats

Overview

Health officials in California have reported multiple instances of rabies-positive bat detections across different regions. In Humboldt County, a person at the Cal Poly Humboldt campus required treatment after being bitten by a bat that tested positive for the virus, marking the fourth such incident in the county within two months.

In Southern California, Long Beach reported its first confirmed detection of the virus in a bat since 2014. Additionally, health officials in Irvine issued warnings after a bat found in a local neighborhood tested positive for rabies. The Orange County Health Care Agency noted that bats have accounted for all reported animal rabies cases in the county during 2026, with 30 rabid bats recorded so far this year.

Authorities are advising residents to seek immediate medical care if they suspect contact with a bat, noting that bites can be extremely small and difficult to detect. Officials also recommend keeping pets vaccinated and avoiding contact with wild animals.

Entities

Orange County Health Care Agency · Cal Poly Humboldt · Rhinebeck Animal Hospital · Humboldt County · California Department of Public Health

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Irvine health officials warn of rabies exposure after positive bat test

    Orange County health officials are seeking individuals who may have had contact with a bat that tested positive for rabies in an Irvine neighborhood.

  2. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    California health officials report rabies-positive bat detections

    Health officials in California report rabies-positive bat detections at Cal Poly Humboldt and in Long Beach, the latter marking the city's first case since 2014.

Sources

coloradoboulevard.net · kesq.com · lapost.us · medicaldaily.com · mynewsla.com · newsantaana.com · wrrv.com