Los Angeles County health officials on Wednesday announced that more than 60 rabid bats have been found so far this year, marking the second-highest total ever recorded.
The 61 bats, second only to the 68 reported in 2021, are keeping with a “decade-long upward trend,” according to a release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. They said that approximately 14% of the bats that come into contact with people or pets in the county have tested positive for rabies, with numbers that spiked in the late summer.
“Bats are vital to our environment, but they can also carry rabies, a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear,” said a statement from Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. “Anyone who may have had contact with a bat should immediately speak with their medical provider or contact public health. Never touch a bat or any wild animals.”…