A person was bitten by a bat on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus in Arcata, California, and the bat later tested positive for rabies, Humboldt County Public Health officials said. The person needed rabies treatment.
"The case marks the fourth time in the past two months that a local resident has needed treatment after coming into contact with a bat that later tested positive for the virus," KRCR reported on Sept. 30.
Officials have not released the date of the bite, where on campus it happened, or whether the person is a student, employee, or visitor. Rabies remains rare in people, and prompt treatment after an exposure is highly effective.
A Campus Case Follows Three Children Treated Earlier
MedicalDaily previously reported that three Northern California children needed rabies treatment after handling bats in Manila and Arcata that later tested positive. That report centered on parents and young children.
The new case widens the concern to a campus community. County officials said that from January through Sept. 15, five bats and one skunk in Humboldt County tested positive for rabies, based on California Department of Public Health data. An earlier county release had counted two rabid skunks this year, and officials have not explained the difference.
The campus case was first reported by Lost Coast Outpost on Sept. 29.
Bat Bites Can Go Unnoticed
Bats have tiny, sharp teeth. "Bat bites can be tiny, and you may not even know if you were bitten," the CDC says. That is why waking up with a bat in the room can count as a possible exposure, even without a visible wound.
For college students, that risk can show up in older dorms, shared houses, and outdoor gathering spots. A bat found indoors near a sleeping person, an intoxicated person, or a young child should be reported, and the bat should be safely contained for testing if possible without touching it.
Students who find a bat in a residence hall can alert housing staff or campus police rather than trying to chase it out. Releasing a bat that may have had contact with someone removes the chance to test it, which can mean a person needs the full treatment series when testing might have ruled out rabies. Thick gloves and a container are safer than bare hands.
Bats are responsible for roughly 7 in 10 U.S. rabies deaths, according to a 2019 CDC report. Once symptoms begin, rabies is nearly always fatal. Before symptoms start, a series of shots called post-exposure prophylaxis prevents the disease.
Context helps keep the risk in proportion. Most bats do not carry rabies, and bats play an important role in controlling insects. The California Department of Public Health says bats and skunks are the animals that most often get rabies in the state, with rabies found in about 200 animals each year and 17 human cases since 1980. The main concern is direct contact with bats, not ordinary campus or outdoor activities.
People with weakened immune systems face extra considerations. The CDC advises that they receive a five-dose vaccine series and have lab testing to confirm the vaccine worked, so they should mention their condition when seeking care.
A Nationwide Rise in Exposures and Treatment
The Humboldt cases come as the CDC tracks wider activity. In a September health advisory, the agency reported that rabies vaccine use for exposures rose an estimated 33% and rabies immune globulin use rose an estimated 76% compared with the same period in 2025, with data through Sept. 2.
The CDC said a typical course of post-exposure treatment can cost $11,000 to $14,000 per person. Students can check how their campus health plan or family insurance covers emergency care, but cost concerns should never delay treatment after a possible exposure.
Humboldt County officials urged residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals, bring pet food indoors at night, and keep pets and livestock vaccinated. Officials said that anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should wash the area right away with soap and water and seek medical attention.
Residents can report a bite or a suspected rabid animal to the county's rabies control program through the Division of Environmental Health at 707-445-6215 or 1-800-963-9241. MedicalDaily will update this story if officials release more details about the campus case.
Key Questions Answered
What happened at Cal Poly Humboldt? A person was bitten by a bat on campus, and the bat tested positive for rabies. The person needed rabies treatment.
How many residents have needed treatment recently? This is the fourth time in two months that a resident needed treatment after contact with a bat that tested positive for rabies.
Can a bat bite go unnoticed? Yes. Bat teeth are tiny and may leave no mark, so waking up with a bat in the room should be reported.
What should someone do after a bite or scratch? Wash the area with soap and water right away and seek medical attention.
Is rabies treatable? Treatment given after exposure and before symptoms prevents the disease. Once symptoms appear, rabies is nearly always fatal.
Who should students call? They can contact a health care provider and Humboldt County's Division of Environmental Health at 707-445-6215.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
