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Posted: Saturday, 15 August 2009 8:09AM
13 rabid bats found in McHenry County so far
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WOODSTOCK (STNG) -- Health Department officials in McHenry County are urging residents to take precautions to avoid rabies exposure, since 13 rabid bats have now been reported this year.
McHenry County led the state with 23 rabid bats in 2008, according to a release Friday from the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH). The 13 that have been reported so far this year make McHenry County the leader so far in rabid bats statewide for 2009.
Statewide, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 37 as of August 3rd. August is typically a very active month for bats, the release said.
If a bat is found indoors, residents should not release the bat but contain it in a room, under a bucket or blanket (using gloves as a barrier) and immediately contact McHenry County Animal Control (815) 459-6222. The bat should not be destroyed so it can be tested for rabies. Without a specimen to test, human exposure will require rabies treatment. Several individuals have already undergone rabies treatment this year.
Residents are encouraged to take a “hands off” approach to wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure. 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. Parents should educate children on the importance of never touching a bat or any wild animal and to tell an adult if a bat is discovered.
A video for children is available at www.mcdh.info. Keeping pets up to date with vaccinations will not only keep them from getting rabies but also provide a barrier of protection for their owners if the animal is bitten by a rabid animal. Information on common entry points into the home is also provided on the MCDH webpage. Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate, so these are the best times to "bat-proof" a home.
Rabies is an almost always fatal disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Most commonly, people get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. In other cases, people can contract rabies if any infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, comes in contact with one’s nose, mouth, an open wound or gets directly into the eyes. Rabies is preventable if the exposure is realized, and if treatment is initiated promptly.
In 2008, 103 rabid bats were reported statewide. In 2007, Illinois recorded its highest number of rabid bats with 113.
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Copyright 2009 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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