A warning against rabid bats has been issued by the Los Angeles county health officials toward area residents. The Department of Public Health said that the number of rabid bats normally found in the county had doubled to 21. According to Jonathan Fielding, the health director, they had however not found any definite reason as to the exponential rise of the rabid bats.

Stressing that Rabies was a dangerous viral disease which can cause death, Mr. Fielding urged residents to keep children and pets far out of the reach of wildlife, especially bats.

He went on to say that there was a great and imminent danger posed by these bats to households since they have been spotted in and around homes.

County officials reported an incident where a resident had been bitten and infected with rabies after trying to nurse a rabid bat back to health.
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