A rabid bat was found inside the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on May 7, prompting county health officials to issue an urgent warning: If you were near the park’s public elevator before 10:45 a.m. that day—and had any contact with the bat—you could be at risk and should call immediately.
The bat was a wild animal, not part of the Safari Park’s habitat exhibits. Officials emphasize that park visitors who did not physically touch the bat are not at risk for rabies.
The animal was discovered at the base of the park’s only public elevator, located in the African Loop near the hot air balloon ride. A trained Safari Park staff member safely collected the bat, and the County Public Health Laboratory later confirmed it was infected with rabies.
County officials are specifically trying to contact anyone who was near the elevator and adjacent stairs before 10:45 a.m. on May 7 and had any physical contact with the bat. If you or someone in your group may have touched the bat—or know someone who might have—you are strongly encouraged to contact County Public Health Services immediately at (619) 692-8499.
“Human rabies is usually fatal without prompt post-exposure vaccine and treatment,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, the County’s interim public health officer. “Rabies transmission can happen from a bat bite or if a bat’s saliva comes in contact with a cut or abrasion, or with mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. Although bats can carry rabies, they are an important part of nature in San Diego County. It is important to respect the space of wildlife and do not touch them.”
So far this year, three rabid bats have been confirmed in the county. San Diego County is home to various bat species, some of which feed on insects like mosquitoes, while others feed on nectar and help pollinate plants. Bats are most commonly seen around sunset when they’re active.
Residents are reminded to observe wildlife from a safe distance and never handle wild animals. If you come into direct contact with a bat, wash the area immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease, typically spread through the bite of an infected animal. Symptoms in humans can take weeks or even months to appear after exposure. Once symptoms begin, the disease is almost always fatal, but timely post-exposure treatment is highly effective in preventing illness.
For more information about bats and rabies, visit the County’s official website.
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