Illinois Department of Public Health
Urges Public to Watch Out for Rabid Bats, Other Infected Animals
More than two dozen cases of
rabid bats found so far this year
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[August 30, 2023]
The
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding the public to
be aware of the potential for exposure to rabies from infected animals.
Bats are the most common source of potential infection in Illinois, and
exposures from bats tend to be more frequent during the summer months,
especially July and August. The disease can also be found in other wild
animals, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes.
So far this year, 27 rabid bats have been found in fourteen Illinois
counties. There have been five rabid bats each in Kankakee and Lake
counties, four in Cook County, and three in McHenry County. Rabies has
also been found in bats in Bureau, Clark, DeKalb, Macon, McLean, Peoria,
Rock Island, Sangamon, Wayne, and Will counties.
“Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease,” said IDPH Director Dr.
Sameer Vohra. “It is important that Illinois residents know how to
prevent rabies exposure to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Rabies can be prevented in a number of ways including vaccinating pets,
being cautious around wildlife, and seeking medical care immediately
after a potential exposure. If exposed, please seek medical attention
immediately.”
Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nervous system.
People can get rabies from being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies
can also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal comes into
contact with a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. If someone
wakes up to find a bat in the room, that is also considered an exposure
even if they cannot identify a bite.
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A bat’s teeth are small, so someone who has been bitten
by a bat may not know it, or may be unable to communicate it (for
example, very small children). That’s why it’s important that if you
discover a bat in your home, you should avoid killing or releasing it;
instead, immediately consult with your local animal control or your
local health department to determine appropriate next steps. If you have
been exposed to rabies, preventive treatment, known as PEP, is
necessary. But if the bat or wild animal can be safely captured and
tested, and the test comes back negative, no preventive medication is
required.
If you have been bitten by any wild animal, seek immediate medical
attention. Animal bites may also become infected with bacteria. Rabies
preventive treatment, if needed, must begin within a few days of the
exposure.
A bat that is active during the day, found on the ground, or is unable
to fly is more likely than others to be rabid. Such bats are often
easily approached but should never be handled.
“It’s also recommended to take steps to protect your pets against
exposure to rabies,” said Dr. Mark Ernst, Illinois State Veterinarian.
“Illinois law requires that all dogs and cats 16 weeks of age and older
be vaccinated for rabies and registered with their county. If an animal
bites a person or your pet is bitten by another animal, the local animal
control must be contacted for quarantine information.”
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Other tips to protect your animals:
Keep your dogs and cats up to date on rabies vaccination per state
law and to protect them against an exposure. Also, horses, sheep,
cattle and ferrets can also be vaccinated for rabies.
Call your veterinarian if your animal has been exposed to a
high-risk animal, especially bats.
Please visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture website at:
https://agr.illinois.gov/
animals/animalhealth/other-species for more information.
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The following tips can help prevent the spread of
rabies:
Do not touch, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with
open garbage cans or litter.
Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to
nurse sick wild animals to health. Call animal control or an animal
rescue agency for assistance.
Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic,
even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals
alone” is a good principle for children to learn to reduce the risk
of exposures to rabid animals.
Maintain homes and other buildings so bats cannot get inside. If a
bat is in your home, do not release the bat outdoors until after
speaking with animal control or public health officials.
After consulting with animal control or public health officials, the
bat may need to be captured for rabies testing to determine if you
need preventive treatment or if your pet may have been exposed.
Steps you can take to capture the bat if animal control is not
available:
When the bat lands, approach it slowly, while wearing thick gloves,
and place a box or coffee can over it.
Slide a piece of cardboard under the container to trap the bat
inside.
Tape the cardboard to the container securely, and punch small holes
in the cardboard, allowing the bat to breathe and call animal
control
Do not come into physical contact with a bat.
If the bat is dead, put it in a plastic container and keep it cool
while waiting for animal control to pick it up.
You can find more information about rabies and how to prevent
exposure at the Illinois Department of Public Health website: Rabies
(illinois.gov).
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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