Rabid Bat Found In Woodstock

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) confirms its first rabid bat of the year, found on June 14 on a Woodstock street.  There was no human exposure.  When a bat is found in a home and there is either human or domestic animal exposure, it is strongly recommended that it not be released but contained in a room, under a bucket or blanket (using gloves as a barrier).  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.  McHenry County Animal Control should be contacted immediately at 815-459-6222.

McHenry County led the State in 2010 with rabid bats (22); bats reported statewide totaled 117.  This year, seven counties (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Macon, Peoria, Will and Winnebago) have already reported rabid bats.  In wild animal, rabies is more common in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, but the disease also has been found in deer and in large rodents, such as woodchucks. Cats, dogs and livestock can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated.  A rabies fact sheet is available at the Illinois Dept of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm. 

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.  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. 

Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.

Bat Sightings On Rise In McHenry County

Two residents from Woodstock have begun receiving treatment for rabies exposure after they awoke to find a bat in their bedroom; it later tested positive for rabies. This is the 17th rabid bat reported this year, according to the McHenry County Department of Health, matching the total recorded in all of 2009. Bats are unusually active this time of year as they’re in the middle of their breeding season. The most recent data from the State Health Department’s website (8-13-10) shows 68 rabid bats reported state-wide. The County saw the highest number of rabid bats in 2008 with 23. Last year, rabid bats were reported locally as late as November.

You can’t tell by looking at a bat if it’s rabid. However, 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 likely rabid. If you find a bat, don’t release it; keep it contained in a room, under a bucket or blanket and call McHenry County Animal Control (815-459-6222). Bats must be in good condition in order to test it for rabies – either alive or recently deceased. Specimens that are in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals; it can only be confirmed in a laboratory. The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. Pet owners are reminded to keep their animals’ rabies vaccinations up-to-date. Teach children to never approach or handle wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure.
To learn more about rabies prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/. Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.

Rabid Bats in Mc Henry County

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.

More Rabid Bats Found in McHenry County

    McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) confirms its 2nd and 3rd rabid bat – both in Woodstock – with one resident undergoing rabies preventative treatment. It is strongly recommended that residents not release a bat but contain it in a room, under a bucket or blanket and keep people away from it. In order to test bats for rabies, it is important 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.
    McHenry County Animal Control should be contacted immediately. - call (815-459-6222).
    The State Health Department has reported 16 rabid bats state-wide. Lake, Kane, Cook and Will County are among those reporting rabid bats in 2010 in addition to central and southern counties. 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. A rabies fact sheet is available at the Illinois Dept of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm.
    Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.

First Bat of 2010 Found In Spring Grove

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) confirms its first rabid bat of the year, found on April 15th in a yard in Spring Grove. No exposure was reported.

When a bat is found in a home, it is strongly recommended that it not be released but contained in a room, under a bucket or blanket (using gloves as a barrier). In order to test bats for rabies, it is important they be in good condition – either alive or recently deceased. Specimens in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human exposure. McHenry County Animal Control should be contacted immediately at 815-459-6222.

McHenry County led the State in 2009 with rabid bats (17); bats reported statewide totaled 83. In 2008, Illinois recorded its 2nd highest number of rabid bats (103), with McHenry County reporting 23. This year, the Counties of Will, Kane and Jackson have already reported rabid bats. In wild animals, rabies is more common in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, but the disease also has been found in deer and in large rodents, such as woodchucks. Cats, dogs and livestock can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated. A rabies fact sheet is available at the Illinois Dept of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm.

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. 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.

Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.