Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

2 hours ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

3 hours ago

Families Leave Gaza City After Night of Bombardment, Israelis Protest

5 hours ago

California Farming Couple Seeks $300 Million for Aspen Estate

6 hours ago

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

7 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

23 hours ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

1 day ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

1 day ago
Rabies-Carrying Bats Prompt Warnings From Fresno County Health
Liz-Juarez
By Liz Juarez
Published 4 years ago on
November 10, 2021

Share

A significant number of Americans have seen an increase in hospital visits for exposure to rabies after close contact with wild, rabid animals in the last few years across the U.S. and in Fresno County.

With misconceptions and misinformation running rampant among COVID-19 deniers and a vaccine hesitant public, health officials say similar doubts are now being expressed in relation to the rabies virus.

“The global pandemic has raised many doubts and misconceptions about diseases and how they’re spread, and about vaccines in general,” said Steven Rhodes, the division manager of environmental health for the Fresno County Health Department.

Fresno County Rabies Positive Cases

According to Rhodes, since 2019, Fresno has had 12 animal cases of positive rabies tests with 11 of those being in bats and one from a cat.

The rabies virus is common in nature and affects 15% of the bat population in Fresno.

“I think I was surprised to learn that so many bats in our area have rabies because it’s not uncommon to see bats flying around at dusk and things like that,” said Fresno County interim health officer Dr. Rais Vohra. “So definitely want to reinforce that people should never touch a bat or handle a bat, whether it’s dead or dying or struggling.”

Health officials say the best way to combat rabies is by making sure family pets — that includes cats, which are just as susceptible as dogs — are vaccinated against the virus

“Cat bites are not as common as dog bites in my clinical experience, but cats are sneaky and they’ll get out and find a dead bat,” said Vohra. “Unfortunately, we’ve had cats that tested positive for rabies in my brief tenure here at public health.”

To keep track of animal bites in the region, the health department offers an online portal the public can access to report potential exposure to the rabies virus.

Rabies Cases Across The Country

So far this year, 158 humans have been bitten by rabid animals, with cases reported in Oregon, Delaware and Massachusetts a Fresno environmental health official said.

A recent CDC report indicates that while cases of human rabies in the U.S. are quite rare, exposure to rabies is becoming much more common with data suggesting that a total of 55,000 Americans were treated for potential rabies exposure from the years 2017 to 2018 after close contact with a rabid animal – indicating that thousands of Americans are continually being treated each year for possible exposure.

This continued health risk has prompted health officials in Vermont to take preventative actions by using bait to capture and vaccinate much of the bat population in the region.

While exposure to the disease has increased, fatalities are much more common in other countries. A total of 59,000 people die globally from rabies infections every year.

The CDC states that rabies, while almost always fatal if untreated, can be cured in humans through quick action.

Proximity To A Rabid Animal Poses Danger

In most cases, based on the nature of the bite, victims are usually administered prompt treatment if they suspect the animal was carrying the rabies virus.

Being bitten by a rabid animal however, is not the only way that a human can be infected with the virus. People can also become infected without ever being bitten, says Rhodes.

“In fact, if you have it, they say if you are in the same room as a bat, you have to get rabies prophylaxis (preventative treatment),” said Vohra. “Because it’s that risky. I don’t know if that’s an exaggeration, but that’s really the clinical teaching is, you know, being that proximal to a bat is so high risk.”

In its report, the CDC states that contact with bats can happen unknowingly if a bat is present in a room with a young child, an impaired person, or someone who is asleep.

Bat bites are often small and overlooked, thus health officials advise seeking urgent care if they suspect exposure.

Fresno County Resources In Case Of Rabies Exposure

The county’s Rabies and Animal Control Program is located on the third floor of the Public Health Department on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno.

To report animal bites and potential rabies exposure, fill out their online form or call 559-600-3357.

For any other information on rabies prevention and exposure or vaccine information for pets, visit the Fresno County Department of Public Health website. 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

DON'T MISS

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

DON'T MISS

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

DON'T MISS

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

DON'T MISS

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

DON'T MISS

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

DON'T MISS

Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Charged by Feds With Arson

DON'T MISS

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

DON'T MISS

US to Seek Death Penalty in Washington D.C. Homicide Cases, Trump Says

DON'T MISS

ICE Is Suddenly Showing Up in CA Hospitals. Workers Want More Guidance on What to Do

UP NEXT

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

UP NEXT

Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Charged by Feds With Arson

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Enrique Arellano Ochoa

UP NEXT

Big Tower District Name to Reopen Sequoia Brewing Co. in Fresno

UP NEXT

Noble Credit Union Teams With Bulldog Foundation to Provide Full-Ride Scholarships

UP NEXT

Fresno County Garnet Fire Burns 8,500 Acres in Sierra National Forest

UP NEXT

NW Fresno’s Newest Wine Lounge a ‘Quiet Alternative’ for Date Night

UP NEXT

Why Did Board Fail to Stop Deficits From Nearly Sinking Fresno EOC?

UP NEXT

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

UP NEXT

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

1 hour ago

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

1 hour ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

2 hours ago

Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Charged by Feds With Arson

3 hours ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

3 hours ago

US to Seek Death Penalty in Washington D.C. Homicide Cases, Trump Says

3 hours ago

ICE Is Suddenly Showing Up in CA Hospitals. Workers Want More Guidance on What to Do

4 hours ago

Coarsegold Elementary Briefly Locked Down After Student Brings Starter Pistol

4 hours ago

HHS Asks 46 States and Territories to Remove ‘Gender Ideology’ Content From Sex Ed Materials

4 hours ago

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Announce Engagement

4 hours ago

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

Fresno City Councilmembers Mike Karbassi and Annalisa Perea have sent a letter of support on behalf of Psalm Behpoor. Behpoor is the mana...

11 minutes ago

11 minutes ago

Fresno Leaders Voice ‘Full Support’ for Pismo’s Restaurant Manager in ICE Custody

45 minutes ago

Leaked Audio Reveals Ex-Israeli Intelligence Chief Calling Gaza Deaths ‘Necessary’

Texas congressional candidate Valentina Gomez posted a campaign video burning the Quran with a flamethrower while vowing to “end Islam,” sparking swift condemnation. (Video Screenshot)
54 minutes ago

Texas GOP Congressional Candidate Burns Quran With Flamethrower

A U.S. Army sergeant was arrested on Saturday, August 23, 2025, on felony charges of possessing child sexual abuse material following a months-long investigation aided by federal and military authorities. (Madera County SO)
1 hour ago

Madera County Authorities Arrest Army Sergeant in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

A drone view of a California High-Speed Rail Bridge as it crosses over the Fresno River in Madera, California, U.S. June 7, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

California High-Speed Rail Project Hit With New $175 Million Cut

Katie Porter speaking at the CADEM Endorsing Convention General Session Senate Candidate Interviews Saturday afternoon.
2 hours ago

Poll: Katie Porter Holds Early Edge in California Governor’s Race

bobby salazar
3 hours ago

Fresno Restaurateur Bobby Salazar Charged by Feds With Arson

Members of the National Guard walk at the National Mall after U.S. President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to assist in crime prevention, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 21, 2025. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Just 38% of Americans Support Trump’s Use of Troops to Police DC, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend