McHenry County Department of Health
(MCDH) confirms a rabid bat was found on December 10, in a Crystal
Lake residence. There was a confirmed human exposure so rabies
treatment has begun. Homeowners who find bats in their homes
should contain the bat in a room by closing the door or placing a
blanket on it and immediately call Animal Control (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 that test negative for
rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human
exposure. Only in cases of confirmed exposure will bats be submitted
for testing.
The best way to
avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. For questions about exposure
or to determine the need for treatment, call MCDH’s Communicable
Disease Program at 815-334-4500. Rabies is a fatal disease caused by
a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can only be
confirmed in a laboratory. 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. 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 ved at www.mcdh.info.
Residents
are encouraged to take a “hands off” approach to wild animals to
reduce their risk of exposure. Children should also be educated
about the dangers. 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
http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/
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