San Diego City Wire

San Diego County public health officials are seeking individuals who may have encountered a bat found in an Oceanside parking lot that tested positive for rabies. The bat was located on the ground outside a Petco store at 2130 Vista Way, Oceanside, around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23.

Officials urge anyone who had direct contact with the bat or knows someone who did to contact County Public Health Services at (619) 692-8499 immediately. Dr. Seema Shah, County interim deputy public health officer, emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “Human rabies is usually fatal without prompt post-exposure vaccine and treatment.”

Rabies can be transmitted through a bat bite or if its saliva contacts cuts, abrasions, or mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, or mouth. So far in 2024, ten rabid bats have been identified in the San Diego region.

While bats can carry rabies, they play vital roles in nature by feeding on insects like mosquitoes and pollinating plants. It is crucial to observe wildlife from a safe distance and avoid touching wild animals.

In case of direct contact with a bat, it is advised to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice promptly. Rabies is preventable if treated soon after exposure; however, once symptoms appear after weeks or months of exposure to a rabid animal, it becomes almost always fatal.

Further information about bats and rabies can be found on the County’s website.