A total of 33 rabid bats were discovered in Los Angeles County from March to Dec. 2017, with 25 of these found within the Santa Clarita Valley, according to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, according to the CDC.

The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes, said the CDC.

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.

The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort.

If bitten by a bat, the Los Angeles County of Public Health stated that anyone who has been exposed must be treated for potential rabies exposure and will also need to submit the bat for rabies testing.

To do this, simply place a box over the animal and contact Public Health at 213-989-7060, as well as your local Animal Control agency, said officials.

If the bat is moving and appears healthy, leave it alone and contact the local Animal Control agency.

If a bat enters a home, trap the bat in one room, close the doors, and open all windows to provide it with a chance to escape.

In the event that it does not leave, call your local Animal Control agency for information and assistance on how to remove it from the home.

For assistance dealing with rabies exposure, contact Public Health for a consultation at 213-989-7060 from 8 – 5 p.m. and after hours at 213-240-7941.

Here is the full list of rabid bats found in Los Angeles County from March to Dec. 2017:

1. Arcadia. March. Bat found alive outdoors clinging to edge of a curb.
2. Glendale. April. Bat found alive indoors at a business.
3. Los Angeles (Canoga Park). April. Bat found alive outdoors at a home.
4. Rosemead. April. Bat found face down on the ground outside at a school.
5. Whittier. April. Bat flew into backyard at a home in daytime, flew into a person’s shirt.
6. Santa Clarita (Newhall). May. Bat found alive clinging to a fence at a home.
7. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). May. Bat found alive outside on a patio at a home.
8. Stevenson Ranch. June. Bat found alive outdoors at a home.
9. Santa Clarita (Valencia). July. Bat found dead on driveway at a home.
10. Stevenson Ranch. July. Bat found alive hanging on a wall in a backyard.
11. Azusa. July. Bat found alive outdoors on a patio at a complex of homes.
12. Castaic. July. Bat found alive on driveway at a home, crawled under a car.
13. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found walking on ground next to pool.
14. Stevenson Ranch. July. Bat found in pool.
15. Santa Clarita (Valencia). July. Bat found in backyard.
16. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bay flying around in backyard, landed on tree, then wall, then behind a bush.
17. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). July. Bat found on front porch.
18. Castaic. July. Bat in swimming pool.
19. Santa Clarita (Saugus). July. Bat found freshly dead on patio. Pet cat resting nearby. Cat placed under 30 day home quarantine for possible rabies exposure.
20. Santa Clarita (Saugus). August. Bat found alive outside on patio.
21. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). August. Bat found alive on patio.
22. Azusa. August. Bat found by hikers in Azusa Canyon recreational area.
23. Palmdale. August. Bat found outdoors on patio by cat. Cat placed under 30 day home quarantine for possible rabies exposure.
24. Santa Clarita. August. Bat found alive, inside apartment unit.
25. Valencia. August. Bat found alive, clinging to the wall of a shopping center.
26. Santa Clarita. August. Bat seen flying outdoors then landed on front porch.
27. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). August. Bat flying around backyard, flew into home through an open door. It was later found in the kitchen.
28. Santa Clarita (Valencia). September. Bat found alive in a swimming pool.
29. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). October. Bat found dead in a yard. Resident thought it was a leaf at first.
30. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). October. Bat found alive in a driveway, later found on front porch.
31. Santa Clarita (Valencia). October. Bat found alive on garage floor.
32. Santa Clarita (Valencia). October. Bat found in a swimming pool.
33. Santa Clarita (Canyon Country). December. Bat found alive on a doormat just outside of a house.

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