CDC Issues Rabies Advisory Amid Rising Bat Exposures in Northern California

On September 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a fresh health advisory after a spate of reports showed more people than usual coming into contact with rabid—or possibly rabid—animals across the United States. The alert zeroes in on Northern California, where bats have become the primary source of rabies infections this year.

According to the California Department of Public Health, 252 animals tested positive for rabies between January 1 and August 31, and a staggering 232 of those were bats. That’s roughly 92 % of all rabid animals identified in the state so far. The numbers matter because bat bites are often tiny, almost invisible, and can go unnoticed—especially in kids who might not be able to tell an adult what happened.

Dr. Dean Blumberg, a professor and chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Health, says rabies is “the worst infection you could get.” Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost uniformly fatal, and there’s no cure. The good news, he adds, is that post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is highly effective when given promptly—usually a combo of rabies vaccine and human rabies immune globulin.

In Sutter County alone, three rabid bats have been confirmed since late July. One was discovered in a swimming pool, another was captured inside a Yuba City home, and the most recent was found outside a residence on September 8, where a child may have had contact. While the state’s provisional rabies table hasn’t yet reflected these latest cases, they underscore why the CDC is urging extra vigilance.

Nationally, rabies‑related inquiries jumped 17 % from July to August compared with the same period last year, and vaccine usage rose about 33 %. Roughly 1.4 million Americans seek medical care after any animal bite each year, with about 100,000 receiving PEP.

If you’re ever unsure whether you’ve been exposed, the CDC’s advice is simple: don’t touch wildlife, especially animals that are sick, injured, or dead. If a bite or scratch occurs—or if a bat is found in a bedroom—wash the area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then call a healthcare provider right away. As Dr. Blumberg puts it, “If there’s a bat in your child’s room, don’t take a chance with it.”