Overview
- Riverside University Health System — Public Health reports 18 rabid bats so far in 2025, surpassing last year’s total of 15.
- Bats are the leading source of rabies in California, and bites can be painless with infection possible if saliva enters a break in the skin.
- Residents are advised to avoid handling bats, report possible exposures to Public Health or animal control, and seal homes to prevent bat entry.
- Anyone with bat contact should wash the area with soap and water and seek prompt medical evaluation for possible post-exposure vaccination, with the CDC estimating about 100,000 such vaccinations annually in the U.S.
- Pet protection is emphasized with county-required rabies shots for dogs beginning at four months and low-cost vaccinations available through the Department of Animal Services, which coordinates monitoring with RUHS-PH and the state.