San Diego County seeks patrons who handled rabies-positive bat at Vista restaurant
Health officials are urging anyone who touched or was near a bat that fell onto a table at the Yellow Deli in Vista and later tested positive for rabies to seek medical advice.
A bat fell onto a table at the Yellow Deli in Vista, California, on Sunday, prompting a patron to capture the animal with a towel and deliver it to the Humane Society in Oceanside. The bat was subsequently sent to the San Diego County Public Health Laboratory, where testing confirmed the presence of rabies, the county communications office said.
County health officials have issued a notice asking anyone who may have handled the bat or been in close proximity to contact their healthcare provider. The department clarified that, at present, no individuals are known to have had direct skin contact with the animal.
"Only those who have come into direct contact, such as touching or holding the animal, are at risk for rabies," the release stated.
The agency added that post-exposure treatment for rabies is effective when administered promptly, noting that the disease can take weeks or months to manifest and is fatal once symptoms appear.
In 2026, San Diego County has recorded 22 rabies-positive bats, compared with 21 in the entire previous year. Officials also reported 31 positive cases in Los Angeles County for the same year.
Public health advisers reminded residents to keep a safe distance from wildlife, especially bats, which are most active at dusk, and highlighted the ecological benefits bats provide, such as insect control and pollination.