A fourth rabid bat for this year is reported by the McHenry County Health Department. However, the good side of this incident is there was no human exposure.
What to do if a rabid bat is found
Contain the bat in a room, under a bucket or blanket and keep people away from it. Testing bats for rabies requires they be in good condition, either alive or recently deceased. Specimens that are in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment. Please contact the McHenry County Animal Control immediately at 815-459-8222.
The State Health Department has reported 32 rabid bats state-wide. Lake, Kane, Cook and Will Counties are among those reporting these rabid incidents in 2010 in addition to central and southern counties.
Avoid Exposure
The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can only be confirmed in a laboratory. Residents are encouraged to take a “hands off” approach to wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure. Parents also need to educate their children of the dangers.
Keeping pets up to date with vaccinations will not only keep them from getting rabies but also provide a barrier of protection for you if your animal is bitten by a rabid animal. Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate so these are the best times to "bat-proof" your home.
A bat that is active by day, found in a place where bats are not usually seen (such as in your home, in a swimming pool or on the lawn) or is unable to fly, is more likely than others to be rabid. To learn more about rabies prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at
Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.
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