San Mateo County health officials say bat with rabies found in Portola Valley - Local News Matters

A bat found at Portola Valley Town Center on October 24 tested positive for rabies, prompting local health officials to issue a warning. They encourage anyone who had physical contact with the bat to seek immediate medical advice, as rabies can be fatal once symptoms appear. Rabies, transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, is preventable if treated promptly after exposure. While health officials have not identified any additional individuals or animals that came into contact with the bat, they emphasize the importance of vigilance. In California, around 200 rabies cases occur each year, predominantly among wild animals.

Since 1980, the disease has been reported in only 17 humans statewide. In the U. S. , approximately 100,000 people receive rabies vaccinations yearly after potential exposure. In San Mateo County, the average number of rabid bats detected annually over the past decade is two.