Rabid Bat Found in Pasadena: Public Health Officials Urge Caution

S. San Rafael Avenue and Nithsdale Road

The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) has confirmed the first rabid bat of the year in the city, discovered near the intersection of S. San Rafael Avenue and Nithsdale Road. While no human rabies cases have been reported, officials are urging the community to remain cautious.

By News Desk

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

Rabid bats are most commonly identified during the summer and early fall months in Los Angeles County, and PPHD is reminding residents to be especially vigilant during this time.

To help protect public safety and reduce potential rabies exposure, PPHD advises:

• Never handle bats with bare hands
• Report 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.”

Dr. Kaur emphasized that rabies can be transmitted through bites or even scratches from an infected animal. “To reduce risk, all contact with bats and other wild animals should be strictly avoided. If skin contact with a bat occurs, wash the area immediately with soap and water and seek medical care,” she said.

While the overall risk to the public remains low, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and stress the importance of avoiding direct interaction with wildlife.