California counties see rise in rabid animal cases amid national increase in exposures
Health officials report a surge in rabies-positive wildlife in several California counties, while the CDC notes a nationwide jump in people receiving rabies post-exposure treatment.
Multiple California jurisdictions have reported a notable increase in animals testing positive for rabies this year. In the Bay Area, Berkeley officials identified five rabid bats since January, far above the typical one to two cases annually, and Pleasanton confirmed a rabid domestic cat in June. Los Angeles County has recorded 62 rabid bats so far in 2026, compared with 69 for the entire previous year, while San Diego County documented 43 positive bats, more than double the 2025 total.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an advisory on Sept. 10 urging clinicians to follow proper protocols for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis after observing a 76% rise in immunoglobulin administrations and a 33% increase in vaccine courses compared with the same period last year. The agency advised anyone bitten, scratched, or otherwise potentially exposed to seek immediate medical guidance.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Monica Gandhi of the University of California, San Francisco explained that, unlike the past when dogs were the primary source, most human exposures now stem from wildlife such as bats and raccoons. She emphasized that post-exposure treatment typically includes both rabies immunoglobulin, which should be administered within 72 hours, and a multi-dose vaccine series to prevent infection.
Local health departments have not identified a specific cause for the uptick in rabies cases, and officials in Los Angeles noted uncertainty about why more bats are testing positive. Residents are encouraged to avoid contact with wild animals and to seek prompt medical care if exposure is suspected.