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8h ago

Riverside County Issues Rabies Warning After 18 Rabid Bats Confirmed This Year

Officials stress that even painless bat encounters warrant immediate medical evaluation.

Gina Douville, a public health microbiology supervisor, holds a specimen bag containing a bat that tested negative for rabies at the newly expanded public health lab in the Health Administration Building in Riverside on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Overview

  • Health authorities report 18 rabid bats so far in 2025, up from 15 confirmed in 2024 by the county public health lab.
  • Residents are urged to avoid handling bats, wash any contact area with soap and water, and seek prompt care for possible post-exposure vaccination.
  • RUHS-PH is coordinating with the California Department of Public Health and the county Department of Animal Services to monitor cases and expand public outreach.
  • The county requires dogs to be licensed and vaccinated starting at four months of age, and animal services offers low-cost rabies shots by appointment.
  • The CDC estimates about 100,000 Americans receive rabies vaccinations each year after potential exposures, underscoring the importance of rapid assessment.