Rabid Bat Found in Irvine as Orange County Cases More Than Double
Orange County has recorded 33 rabies-positive bats so far in 2026, more than double the number recorded in all of 2025
Photo credit Clément Falize
A bat found dead last month near Irvine’s Meadowood Park has tested positive for rabies, adding to a growing number of infected bats throughout Orange County. Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) officials report 33 rabies-positive bats in 2026, which more than doubles the 2025 total of 16 recorded cases.
The bat was discovered on September 28 at approximately 4:45 p.m. between 18 Wedgewood and 28 Whispering Pine in the Northwood Pointe neighborhood. The HCA issued a public health notice on October 2, asking anyone who may have come into contact with the bat to contact the agency.
In response to questions from The Vine, HCA confirmed that the bat was dead when found. The agency does not have information about its species. Officials also said they do not have information about whether any people or pets were exposed, explaining that public notices are issued to reach anyone who may have had contact with an infected animal.
The county's figures show a significant increase in both the number and percentage of bats testing positive for rabies. According to HCA, Orange County has tested 196 bats so far in 2026, with approximately 17% testing positive. By comparison, 258 bats were tested in all of 2025, with 6% testing positive. In 2024, 174 bats were tested, with 7% testing positive.
The figures suggest that the increase cannot be explained by a higher volume of testing alone. In fact, fewer bats have been tested so far this year than in either of the previous two full years.
Rabies Virus Colorized transmission electron micrograph of rabies virus particles (orange).
Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility
Orange County is not alone in reporting increased rabies concerns. In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a sharp increase in human rabies exposure over last year, with a 17% rise in inquiries about exposure to rabies in July and August. Experts caution that it is too early to determine whether the country is experiencing an overall increase in rabid animals.
"While we are seeing news reports of rabies cases in various domestic animals (cows, goats, dogs) and wild animals (bats, raccoons, groundhogs), it is too early confirm that there is a increase in rabid animals in 2026 compared to past years," said Meera Gatlin, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, an assistant teaching professor of public health at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Gatlin explained that rabies is associated with different wildlife populations across the country. In California, bats are the primary wildlife reservoir, while raccoons are common carriers along the Eastern Seaboard and skunks serve as hosts in parts of the Midwest. According to Gatlin, several factors could be contributing to the increase, including greater public awareness, seasonal changes and shifts in bat behavior.
Increased awareness may lead more people to report bats for testing. But the bats most likely to be submitted for testing are not necessarily representative of the overall population.
"Therefore, our testing bias might report higher numbers than what is actually happening in the wild," Gatlin said.
Seasonal patterns may also play a role. Bats often roost and raise their young during warmer months, sometimes near homes and other buildings. Changes in temperature, population health or roosting behavior could influence how the virus spreads and how frequently bats encounter people. Gatlin also noted that changes within small, local bat populations could affect rabies transmission. For now, these remain possible explanations rather than confirmed causes of Orange County's increase.
What Irvinites Should Know
The rabid bat was found between 18 Wedgewood and 28 Whispering Pine in Irvine's Northwood Pointe neighborhood, near Meadowood Park and the Hicks Canyon Trail.
Map: Google Maps.
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system. It can spread through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through bites. Although human rabies infections are rare in the United States, the disease is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear.
Fortunately, preventive treatment after a potential exposure is highly effective.
"Medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure so any wound can be cleaned and preventive treatment can be started," HCA told The Vine. "This treatment is safe and effective."
Bat bites are particularly concerning because their small teeth can leave marks that are difficult to detect. The CDC recommends that anyone who wakes up to find a bat in their room seek prompt medical advice to determine whether preventive rabies treatment is necessary.
Gatlin advises residents to avoid touching bats, even if they appear dead or injured, and to contact animal control if a bat enters their home. She also recommends checking homes for potential bat entry points and hiring professionals to safely exclude bats when necessary.
Pet owners should keep their dogs and cats current on rabies vaccinations. In Irvine, dogs four months of age and older are required to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.
HCA recommends keeping windows and doors screened, avoiding contact with wild animals and not leaving pet food outdoors where it could attract wildlife.
Despite the public health concerns, bats play a valuable role in the local environment.
Irvine is home to natural habitats where bats forage for insects, including wetlands, open spaces and wildlife preserves. At the San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine Ranch Water District offered guided evening bat walks last month where visitors could watch the animals feeding.
Bats help control insect populations, and some species elsewhere also contribute to pollination and seed dispersal. Gatlin emphasized that protecting people from rabies does not mean bats should be feared or harmed.
"They get a bad rap,” she said, “but these circumstances remind us that a healthy and distant respect for wildlife is essential to keep everyone safe.”
Anyone who may have had contact with the infected Irvine bat, or another potentially rabid animal, should contact HCA's Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180. Residents can report a bat inside their home or an animal bite to OC Animal Care at 714-935-6848.