CDPH Reported Animal Rabies in California
CDPH Rabies Surveillance in California Annual Reports
CDC Rabies in the United States: Protecting Public Health
Animal Rabies Surveillance in the U.S.
Human Rabies Surveillance in the U.S.
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) English | Spanish CDPH Facts About Rabies Vaccination for Pets (PDF)
CDPH Rabies fact sheet (PDF) English | Spanish
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
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
Four presentations on rabies designed for healthcare provider, veterinarian, animal control personnel, and general audiences
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
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://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx
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://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx
Tenga cuidado: los animales salvajes de California pueden ser portadores de la rabia. Los perros, los gatos y las personas pueden contraer la rabia si los muerden animales salvajes infectados, especialmente murciélagos y zorrillos. Nunca toque ni intente alimentar a animales salvajes. Obtenga más información: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabia.aspx
En California, la rabia se detecta con mayor frecuencia en los murciélagos y los zorrillos. Las mascotas y las personas pueden contraer la rabia de animales salvajes. NO intente tocar animales salvajes ni alimentarlos. Obtenga más información: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabia.aspx
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://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx
Los perros y los gatos son curiosos por naturaleza y suelen acercarse a los animales salvajes que encuentran. Si su mascota encuentra o atrapa un murciélago, llame al organismo local de control de animales para que lo recojan. No toque ni intente capturar al murciélago. Algunos murciélagos pueden contagiar la rabia a personas y animales si los muerden. Consulte regularmente a su veterinario para asegurarse de que sus mascotas están al día con las vacunas contra la rabia y otras vacunas.
Si su mascota encuentra o atrapa un murciélago, llame al organismo local de control de animales. No toque ni intente atrapar al murciélago. Algunos murciélagos pueden contagiar la rabia a personas y animales si los muerden. Consulte a su veterinario para asegurarse de que sus mascotas están al día con sus vacunas contra la rabia. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabia.aspx
September 28 is World Rabies Day. 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://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx
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://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx
El 28 de septiembre es el Día Mundial contra la Rabia: vacune a sus mascotas y evite el contacto con murciélagos y otros animales salvajes para protegerse a usted y proteger a su familia y sus mascotas de la rabia. Obtenga más información: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabia.aspx
Spanish:
Some bats can spread rabies if they bite. Most people who are bitten by a bat while awake will feel the bite. But someone who is asleep, intoxicated, or has an intellectual disability may not know if they have been bitten. If you or a child aren't sure if a bat bite occurred, contact a healthcare provider or your local 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 it's also 100% preventable.
Some #bats can spread rabies if they bite. But bats have very small teeth and may not leave a mark when they bite. If you or a child aren’t sure if a bat bite occurred, talk to your doctor or public health agency. #Rabies is a serious disease that can be fatal but is preventable.
https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/rabies/index.html
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://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html
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://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html
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: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html
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.
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://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html
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
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://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Rabies.aspx