McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) supports the global campaign (World Rabies Day, September 29) to spread the word about rabies control and prevention. Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and animals however it is 100% preventable in humans. Last year, McHenry County led the State with rabid bats (22) versus 3 rabid bats in 2011. State-wide, rabid bats totaled 117 in 2010, as compared to 44 this year. Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate so these are the best times to "bat-proof" your home. A fact sheet on bat exclusion can be viewed at www.mcdh.info.
The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. Keeping cats and dogs 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. You cannot tell if an animal is rabid just by looking at it. Any wild mammal – bat, raccoon, skunk, coyote – can have rabies and transmit it to humans. Changes in an animal’s normal behavior can be a sign of rabies.
If a bat is found in the home, contact McHenry County Animal Control immediately (815-459-6222). In order to test bats for rabies, it is important they be in good condition (i.e. head is intact) – either alive or recently deceased. Specimens in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human exposure. Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.
To learn more about rabies prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
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