Rabid Bat Found in West Pasadena Prompts Public Health Warning

The Pasadena Public Health Department is urging residents to avoid contact with bats after it received a report of a rabid bat found near the intersection of S. San Rafael Ave. and Nithsdale Rd. No human rabies cases have been reported, and officials say the overall public risk remains low.

The infected bat is the first to test positive for rabies in Pasadena in 2025, according to Manuel Carmona, Director of Public Health.

The department emphasized increased vigilance during summer and early fall, when rabid bats are most frequently identified in Los Angeles County.

“This is the first bat to test positive for rabies in Pasadena in 2025,” Carmona said. “Community members are encouraged to avoid contact with and immediately report injured, ill, or dead bats.”

To help ensure public safety and reduce potential rabies exposure, PPHD advises the following precautions:

Never handle bats with bare hands.
Report any injured, ill, or dead bats to local animal control or public health authorities.
“Any contact by humans or pets with a rabid bat is a very serious health concern,” said Dr. Parveen Kaur, Acting Health Officer.

“Rabies is a life-threatening disease that requires timely preventive medical treatment. To reduce risk, all contact with bats and other wild animals should be strictly avoided. Rabies can be transmitted through a bite or even a scratch from the tooth of an infected animal, posing a risk to both humans and animals. If skin contact with a bat occurs, wash the area immediately with soap and water and seek medical care.”

If you see a dead or dying bat on the ground, do not handle it. Contact Pasadena Humane to collect the bat for rabies testing by calling (626) 792-7151.

Animal bites should be discussed with your medical provider as soon as possible. If pets are affected, contact an emergency veterinarian. For more information on rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rabies website.