San Diego Health Officials Warn of Rabies Risk After Bat Found in Deli

San Diego County health authorities issued a notice on Sunday after a bat that tested positive for rabies was found on a table at a local deli. The animal was removed by a diner using a towel and delivered to the Humane Society in Oceanside, where laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the virus. This case marks the 22nd rabies-positive bat identified in the county this year, surpassing the previous record of 21 in 2025 and representing the highest count since at least 2021.

Officials emphasized that no direct contact with the bat was reported, but they advised anyone who may have touched the animal to wash the area with soap and contact a healthcare provider promptly. Rabies symptoms can take weeks to months to develop, and once they appear the disease is almost always fatal, though post-exposure treatment is highly effective.

The county reminded residents to avoid handling wildlife and to give bats space, noting that bats contribute to the local ecosystem by controlling insect populations and pollinating plants. The state has not recorded a human rabies case since 2024, when a resident in Fresno County was exposed to a rabid bat.

"Bats play an important role in our local ecosystem," the health department statement read. "Many species of bats live in San Diego County, feeding on insects such as mosquitoes. Other bat species feed on nectar from plants and pollinate them in the process. It is important to respect wildlife and give wild animals space to play their role in our natural environment."