With four new reports, more than half of the rabid bats to turn up in Los Angeles County during 2014 have been discovered in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Four more rabid bats were found in the Santa Clarita Valley in the last couple of weeks, bringing the total to 11 out of 21 reported cases in the county, according to a running total kept by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The latest reported case was a bat found alive outside a home in Saugus, although it’s not clear when that was.
Two of the new cases were discovered in Newhall in the months of July and August, and one was discovered alive outside a home in Stevenson Ranch in July.
The bat found in Newhall in July was alive and hanging on the side of a house during the day, and the August Newhall bat was discovered dead while two dogs played with it, according to the report.
Neither dog was up-to-date on its rabies vaccines, so both were placed under a six-month home quarantine.
County health officials don’t have an explanation for the rise in rabies cases, which has jumped to about 40 cases per year — approximately four times the number of reported cases compared to early statistics from the 1960s
Fewer than one percent of bats have rabies, but health officials warn residents not to touch any bats seen alive or dead on the ground and to immediately call Animal Control at 661-257-3191.
Rabid bat detections during 2014 in chronological order:
1. Agua Dulce. February. Dead bat found in swimming pool.
2. Los Angeles (West LA). February. Cat found bat in back yard, on ground. Cat placed under quarantine.
3. Santa Clarita (Newhall). April. Bat seen during the day hanging on an outside wall at a residence. It flew away and was later found on the ground.
4. Palmdale. April. Bat found alive at park. Park patron alerted park authorities, who submitted bat for testing.
5. Los Angeles (Koreatown). April. Bat found on an outside stairwell, was lifted by tip of wing and moved to sidewalk by employee.
6. Los Angeles (Century City). April. Bat found flying around in daylight under an awning at a business. Bat fell to ground, was covered with a box, and Animal Control called.
7. Topanga. April. Bat found alive outside a home.
8. Monrovia. May. Bat found alive inside living room of a home. Unknown how long it had been in house. One vaccinated dog and three people in home had potential for unrecognized bite. People referred to medical care for rabies post-exposure treatment, and dog will be quarantined at home and observed for 30 days.
9. Santa Clarita (Newhall). June. Bat found on patio. It was staggering as it walked. Resident covered bat with pool net until animal control arrived, and kept dog away from it.
10. Los Angeles (Mar Vista). June. Dog caught bat while it was flying in a park in daylight. Person bitten while trying to remove bat from dog. Person sought medical care. Dog was up-to-date on rabies vaccine before incident, was re-vaccinated after and quarantined for a month.
11. Santa Clarita (Newhall). June. Bat found inside a garage.
12. Bradbury. July. Live bat found in back yard. Bit person when picked up. A cat then attacked bat and a dog got near it, possibly came in direct contact. Neither pet was up-to-date on it rabies vaccination. Person referred for medical care. Dog and cat referred for veterinary care for rabies vaccination, placed under 6 month quarantines to observe for rabies.
13. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found alive on ground outside a home.
14. Santa Clarita (Newhall). July. Bat found on ground in front of a garage. Hissed when approached.
15. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found outside of a home.
16. Stevenson Ranch. July. Bat found alive outside a home.
17. La Canada Flintridge. July. Bat found alive outside a home.
18. Santa Clarita (Newhall). August. Two dogs playing with dead bat. Dogs not up to date on rabies vaccines, so placed under 6 month home quarantine.
19. Encino. July. Bat found on sidewalk in business area.
20. Santa Clarita (Newhall). July. Bat found alive hanging on side of a house in daytime.
21. Santa Clarita (Saugus). Bat found alive outside a home.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.