Wild Bats Coming Out From Roosts Are Infected With Rabies; More Are Expected in the Summer Season

Last week, health authorities in Los Angeles County reported that seven wild bats tested positive for rabies, and they are expecting this figure to rise as the bat season gets underway in the summer.

Infections in Wild-Caught Bats

Any warm-blooded mammal can transmit rabies, but bats are one of the primary carriers in North America. Los Angeles County has become the leading county in the state in terms of the reported number of rabid bats for several decades.

Of the seven rabid bats discovered this year, four emerged from Santa Clarita area, and one each in Glendale, Altadena and Los Feliz. Most of them were seen in backyards or on the external wall of a house. Meanwhile, the rabid bat in Los Feliz thrives in the common area of an apartment complex.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the months of summer and early fall are the primary seasons for rabid bats to appear in residential homes or public areas. A rabies-infected bat can be seen flying during the day or hanging on the wall or sidewalk. The health officials warn not to touch or try to revive in bat in distress.

No rabies cases in human have been reported in L.A. County for at least a decade, the last case being an immigrant from Central America who was bitten by a dog. Only an estimated 1% of the wild bats in nature are infected with rabies. However, 15% of bats living near people and pets in L.A. County test positive for rabies. Every year, rabid bats are found in the county and the figures have increased for the past two years.

In 2021, the health department of L.A. County discovered 68 rabid bats which was the highest number recorded in the area since the rabies testing on bats began in 1961. This figure slightly dropped to 50 in 2022, although it is still higher 15 years ago when only 8 or 12 infected bats were recorded.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by Rhabdovirus which can be fatal to both humans and pet. It occurs in over 150 countries and territories with 95% of human eats recorded in Asia and Africa. Every year, tens of thousands of rabies-related deaths occur, 40% of whom are children 15 years old and younger.

Rabis virus gets into the host's body when the saliva of the carrier animal gets into the open wound. It slowly moves along the nerves into the central nervous system. Upon reaching the brain, the virus causes neurological damage.

A single bite from a rabid bat, even a slight puncture from its sharp, needle-life teeth, can transmit the infection that causes severe zoonotic encephalitis. It can take a week or even years for the symptoms to appear. These include cough or sore throat, nausea, headache, chills, fever, vomiting, and malaise.

According to the World Health Organization, rabies is 100% fatal, having the highest fatality rate of any disease. Fortunately, it is also 100% preventable through early appropriate medical care. There are a number of available rabies vaccines which are proven safe and effective.