San Diego County public health officials are urging residents who visited two Escondido locations last weekend to come forward after two wild bats tested positive for rabies — the fourth and fifth confirmed cases in San Diego County in 2026.

The first infected bat was discovered at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, in a grassy area near the White Oak Villas condo complex in Escondido. The San Diego Humane Society retrieved the animal for testing. The second bat was found the following morning, clinging to a rock wall outside the Okavango Restaurant at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Park officials clarified that the bat was a wild animal and not part of any exhibit. Visitors who observed the bat from a distance but had no direct contact are not considered at risk.

Both animals were confirmed positive for rabies by the County Public Health Laboratory earlier this week. "Human rabies is almost always fatal without prompt post-exposure vaccination and treatment," said Dr. Sayone Thihalilopavan, County Public Health Officer. "Rabies can be transmitted through a bite or when an infected bat's saliva enters a cut, scrape, or the eyes, nose, or mouth."

East County residents and visitors to the Safari Park should be aware that bats are the primary domestic source of rabies in California, accounting for more than 62 percent of all rabid animals detected in the state each year. However, officials emphasize that less than 1 percent of the general bat population carries the virus. A single bat can consume up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects per hour, making them a critical part of the local ecosystem.

Anyone who may have had direct contact with a bat near White Oak Villas or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on or around March 21-22 is urged to call County Public Health Services immediately at (619) 692-8499. Residents should also ensure that dogs and cats are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.