The Santa Clarita Valley’s 13th rabid bat of the year was reported this week in Canyon Country, bringing Los Angeles County’s 2011 total to 32.
Eight to 10 are normal for the entire county in a typical year. Health officials don’t know why the numbers are up. The SCV has the county’s highest concentration of confirmed rabies-infected animals – all bats – and their population is evenly spread throughout the city and unincorporated areas of the valley.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported Wednesday that the latest bat was found alive outdoors while somebody was gardening in Canyon Country.
Prior to that, the two most recent rabid bats were found in Valencia – one clinging high on a wall at a school, and the other on the floor of a bathroom at the COC football stadium.
Health officials say bats seen flying during the day, or found on the ground, are more likely than others to have rabies. They advise never touch a bat or other wild animal, and if you pick up a bat with bare hands, you might get bitten and not know it because the bite marks can be small.
The rabies virus is typically transmitted through bites, and bats are by far the most common carriers. Persons bitten should be tested for rabies, which can be lethal.
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