rabies

Rabies Resources

Rabies Data & Summary Reports

Messaging for Awareness and Outreach

The following resources, messages, and graphics are provided for local public health partners to use and share to help raise awareness about rabies and rabies prevention. Messaging can be shared year-round, but key times for rabies awareness include:

Warmer-weather months (especially summer and early fall) when people are active outside and more likely to encounter wildlife that can spread rabies
Before or during local summer camp sessions, when youth are more likely to be out in nature, encountering wildlife, such as bats
World Rabies Day – September 28

Learn more: CDC | WHO | AVMA

Before or during local rabies vaccine clinics for pets
Following the detection of rabies in a city, neighborhood, zoo, campground, or other public space

CDPH Resources

CDPH Rabies brochure (PDF) English | Spanish

CDPH Rabies fact sheet (PDF)
CDPH Facts About Rabies Vaccination for Pets (PDF)

Rabies Caution Placards: Bat | Skunk | Fox— for use by public health officials only

Caution signs for placement in public areas where rabies has been detected in key animal species

Digital files in English and Spanish are available by request – contact VetPH@cdph.ca.gov for more information

Rabies Presentation Slide Sets — for use by public health officials only

Four presentations on rabies designed for healthcare provider, veterinarian, animal control personnel, and general audiences

Files available in PDF and Microsoft PowerPoint (PPT) formats – contact VetPH@cdph.ca.gov to request or for more information

Rabies Prevention for Kids

Rabies and Kids webpage– U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Key Messages and Graphics

Graphics below may be co-branded with local agency information and can be used for social media, digital ads, or as embedded links on webpages. Click an image to view and download (right-click and select “Save image as”).

General/Pet Safety | World Rabies Day | Bats

General/Pet Safety

Be aware - wild animals in California can carry rabies.

Spanish:

Ser consciente -- Los animales salvajes en California pueden portar la rabia.

Suggested messages:

Be aware: Wild animals throughout California can carry rabies. Dogs, cats, and people can get rabies when they are bitten by infected wild animals, especially bats and skunks. Never touch or try to feed wild animals. Learn more: https://bit.ly/RabiesCDPH

In California, #rabies is most often detected in #bats and #skunks. Pets and people can get rabies from wild animals. Do NOT try to touch or feed wild animals. Learn more:
https://bit.ly/RabiesCDPH

Keep your pets away from bats and other animals. Ask your vet about rabies and other shots for your pets.

Suggested messages:

Dogs and cats are naturally curious and will often approach a wild animal that they find. If your pet finds or catches a bat, call local animal control to collect the bat. Do not touch or try to capture the bat yourself. Some bats can spread rabies to people and animals if they bite. See your veterinarian regularly to be sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccines and other shots.

If your pet finds or catches a #bat, call local animal control. Don’t touch or try to catch the bat yourself. Some bats can spread #rabies to people and animals if they bite. See your vet to be sure your pets are up to date on their rabies shots. https://bit.ly/RabiesCDPH

World Rabies Day

Rabies is 100% preventable - you can do your part by keeping pets up to date on their rabies shots

Rabies is 100% preventable. You can do your part by keeping pets, including cats, up-to-date on their rabies shots.

Suggested messages:

September 28 is #WorldRabiesDay. Rabies is 100% preventable - you can protect yourself, your family, and your pets by keeping your pets up to date on their #rabies vaccines and by avoiding contact with bats and other wild animals. Learn more:
https://bit.ly/RabiesCDPH

September 28 is #WorldRabiesDay - Keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from #rabies by vaccinating your pets and avoiding contact with bats and other wild animals.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/RabiesCDPH

Bats

Spanish:

Suggested messages:

Some bats can spread rabies if they bite. Most people will know if a bat bites them, but some people may not know, especially if they have been asleep or alone in a room where a bat was found. If you or a child aren’t sure if a bat bite occurred, contact your health care provider or public health agency. If the bat is still inside, call animal control to capture the bat and have it tested for rabies. Rabies is a serious disease that can be fatal, but is also 100% preventable.

Some #bats can spread rabies if they bite. Most people will know if they’ve been bitten, but if you wake up to a bat in your room, see a doctor. #Rabies is a serious disease that can be fatal. Talk to a doctor if you think you’ve been bitten by a bat. https://bit.ly/CDCVitalSignsRabies

Stay back! Never touch or play with a wild bat, especially if it's on the ground or can't fly.

Spanish:

Manténgase al margen! Nunca toque ni juegue con un murciélago salvaje, especialmente si está en el suelo o no puede volar.

Suggested messages:

Did you know that bats are the only mammals that can fly? In some parts of California, you may see bats flying at dusk and in the evening. But if you find a bat during the day that is on the ground or isn’t moving, do not touch it or try to pick it up – call local animal control right away. Some bats can spread serious diseases like rabies.

Did you know? Bats are the only mammals that can fly! You may see #bats flying outside in the evening. But if you find a bat on the ground during the day, DON’T touch it or try to pick it up – call local animal control ASAP. Some bats can spread #rabies. Learn more: https://bit.ly/CDCBatsRabies

Find a bat inside? Do not touch or try to catch it. Open a window to let it fly out, or call animal control.

Spanish:

¿Encontró un murciélago adentro? No lo toque ni intente atraparlo. Abra la ventana o puerta para que salga el murciélago

Suggested messages:

While camping this summer, you may get to see bats flying outside in the evening. Sometimes bats fly into buildings or cabins. If you see a bat flying around in a room, do not try to catch it. Open windows and doors to let it fly out. If you find a bat lying on the floor or on a surface, do not touch it. Some bats can spread rabies if they bite. Leave it alone and call animal control.

#Camping this summer? You may see bats flying at night. Sometimes #bats fly into buildings. If you see a bat flying in a room, don’t try to catch it. If you find a bat on the floor, DO NOT touch it. Some bats can spread #rabies if they bite. Leave it alone and call animal control. Learn more: https://bit.ly/CDCBatsRabies

Be safe around wildlife at camp this summer!

Suggested messages:

Before your kids head off to summer camp, remind them not to touch or go near wild animals, including bats. Your child may see bats flying outside during the evening, which is a normal part of camping. But some bats can spread serious diseases like rabies if they bite. Teach your child never to touch, play with, or try to catch a bat, especially one that is lying on the ground. Tell your child to notify a counselor or other camp staff if they see a bat inside a cabin or other building. Learn more with these kid-friendly resources: https://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/

Remind kids not to touch #bats and other wild animals at summer camp. Seeing bats flying at night is normal when #camping, but some bats can spread #rabies if they bite. Teach kids never to touch a wild bat and to tell camp staff if they see a bat in a building.

Enjoy seeing bats in nature, but do not touch!

Camping is a great time to see and learn about bats. You may see bats in the evening

Suggested messages:

Camping during the summer is a great time to see and learn about new things in nature – including bats! You may see bats flying outside at dusk or in the evening. But if you find a bat inside your cabin or tent, especially during the day, do not touch or try to catch it. Some bats can spread rabies if they bite. Call local animal control or campsite staff to safely capture the bat. If you touch a wild bat or think you have been bitten by one, see your doctor right away.

#Camping in summer is a great time to see and learn about bats. You may see #bats flying outside in the evening. But if you find a bat inside your cabin or tent, especially during the day, do not touch or try to catch it. Some bats can spread #rabies if they bite. Learn more: https://bit.ly/CDCBatsRabies

Suggested messages:

Bats are an important part of our ecosystem. Most bats in California feed on insects, nectar, or fruit. You may see bats flying around outside in the early evening when they are eating insects. Some bats, like other wild mammals, can spread rabies to humans through a bite. Never touch or try to handle a wild bat. Learn more: https://on.doi.gov/3qF0nCS

Most bats in California eat insects, nectar, or fruit. You may see #bats flying in the evening when they’re out eating insects. Some bats can spread #rabies to humans through a bite. Never touch or try to handle a wild bat. Learn more: https://on.doi.gov/3qF0nCS

You can't get rabies just be seeing or being near a bat, but you should never touch a bat.

Suggested messages:

Bats are active at night or during the early evening and usually stay away from people. Some bats can spread rabies to people if they bite, but you can’t get rabies just by seeing or being near a bat. To protect yourself from rabies, never touch or handle a bat (or any wild animal). If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, scrub the area vigorously with soap and water for several minutes. Contact your health care provider as soon as possible.

Bats are active at night and usually stay away from people. Some #bats can spread rabies to people if they bite, but you can’t get #rabies just by seeing or being near a bat. To protect yourself from rabies, never touch or handle a bat (or any wild animal). Learn more: https://bit.ly/RabiesCDPH

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Rabies Prevention for Kids