Health warns of an increase in bat attacks that can transmit rabies

BarcelonaCatalonia has been free of endemic terrestrial rabies for some time, but in recent years there has been growing concern about the airborne transmission of this disease. To the point that the Department of Health has issued a call to the population to avoid contact with bats. It does so as a preventive measure because attacks by these animals—which are currently the main carriers of this disease—are on the rise.

During 2026, there have been 23% more attacks in Catalonia by bats compared to those that occurred throughout the previous year. Of the 198 attacks recorded between January 1st and August 12th in the Principality, 86 were carried out by these winged mammals, 16 more than were detected during the entirety of 2025. The rest of the attacks are from dogs. In this case, during the first eight months of the year, one more (56) has been recorded than during all of 2025.

Health data show that bat attacks are more frequent during the summer. In the months of June, July, and mid-August alone, almost half of the bites have occurred, 45%. In Catalonia, as in other communities and European countries, the sporadic presence of bats infected with the European rabies virus has been confirmed.

A deadly disease

Rabies is a very serious disease, almost always fatal, that can affect all mammals. The virus is usually transmitted through the saliva of infected animals through bites, scratches, or licks on open wounds or mucous membranes. In order to prevent infection in people who have suffered an attack by animals considered at risk, the administration of rabies immunoglobulin and the follow-up of a vaccination schedule is necessary, subsequent to the risk exposure. This year, 67% of the exposures reported to the XVEC have required these actions in light of the possibility of contagion.