San Diego County Health Officials Alert Public After Rabid Bat Found in Restaurant
San Diego County public health officials are actively seeking individuals who may have come into contact with a rabid bat discovered at a restaurant in Vista, California. The incident occurred when the bat landed on a table at the Yellow Deli Restaurant while a family was dining. A fellow diner used a towel to capture the bat and subsequently delivered it to the San Diego Humane Society in Oceanside. The bat was then transferred to the County's Public Health Lab, where it tested positive for rabies. This bat marks the 22nd rabid bat identified in San Diego County this year, compared to 21 cases in 2025. Although no direct skin contact with the bat has been reported, health officials emphasize that only those who touched or held the bat are at risk of rabies exposure. Rabies is a serious disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but post-exposure treatment is highly effective if administered before symptoms begin. 
