Rabies-Positive Bat Confirmed in Long Beach

Long Beach, CA ~ **Long Beach Confirms First Rabid Bat Detection Since 2014**

A bat found in Long Beach has tested positive for rabies, the city's Department of Health and Human Services said. The Long Beach Public Health Laboratory tested the bat on Sept. 30, 2026.

The detection is the first in Long Beach since 2014. Rabies-positive bats are found in Los Angeles County each year, and the virus is known to occur in bats across Southern California.

Rabies is a rare but serious viral disease that affects the brain. It can spread to people and animals through the bite of an infected animal. Once symptoms begin, the disease is almost always fatal, though prompt treatment after exposure can prevent it.

City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada urged residents not to touch bats or other wild animals and to keep pets away from them. Even small or unnoticed bites can transmit rabies.

Residents who find a bat in or near their home should not handle or release it. If it is safe to do so, they can cover it with a box or container and call Long Beach Animal Care Services at 562-570-7387, which is available 24 hours a day, for guidance.

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Anyone bitten or scratched by a bat, or who may have had contact with one, should wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice immediately. A bat found in a room with someone who was sleeping, a young child or a pet may also require prompt guidance from a health care provider and Animal Care Services, since bites can be difficult to detect.

The Health Department recommends keeping dogs and cats—including indoor pets—current on rabies vaccinations. Bats that are active during the day, on the ground or unable to fly may be ill and should not be touched.

According to Los Angeles County Public Health, about 17% of bats encountered by people or pets in recent years tested positive for rabies, with rates reaching 33% in late summer.

Residents can reduce the chance of bats entering their homes by sealing openings at least a quarter-inch by half an inch, covering vents with heavy-duty mesh and ensuring doors, windows and chimneys are properly screened or sealed.

For information about rabies, animal bites or possible exposure, contact Long Beach Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control at 562-570-4302.

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