Riverside County health officials have shared a warning with the public due to an increased number of rabid bats that have been found in 2025.

"So far this year, 18 rabid bats have been reported in Riverside County, an increase from 15 rabid bats confirmed by the Public Health lab in 2024," said a news release from the Riverside University Health System shared on Wednesday.

They say that bats are the most common source of rabies in California, where two other rabid bats have been reported in recent months in nearby cities in both Los Angeles County and Orange County .

"Rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms appear. While rabies is extremely rare in humans in California, exposure through bat bites is a serious concern," said a statement from Riverside County Public

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