Bat Found In Naperville Was Rabid

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (STNG) - A bat found on a Naperville front porch represents Will County’s second confirmed case of animal rabies for 2008.

According to a press release from the Will County Health Department, the bat was found dead July 25 on the front porch of a home on Twilight Avenue. Naperville Animal Control picked up the bat, which was submitted for laboratory analysis. Will County Animal Control received a positive rabies confirmation late Tuesday.

No human or pet animal exposures were identified. Will County Animal Control has been canvassing the area to make sure residents are alert for any potential risks. Will County’s only other rabies confirmation for 2008 also occurred in Naperville.

A bat found near a home on Crimson Court was confirmed rabid May 27. No human exposures were identified, and a pet in the home was current on its rabies vaccination.

Bats have accounted for Illinois’ last 192 confirmed cases of wildlife rabies, including 38 since January 1, 2008. State rabies cases have increased 152 percent since 2006. There were 113 rabid bat confirmations in the state a year ago, including 11 from Will County.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of a warm-blooded animal. Residents are urged to avoid contact with wild animals and should report all potential exposures to the most appropriate local animal control authority.

With the report of its ninth rabid bat found this year, McHenry County now leads the state for rabid bats in 2008, matching the county’s 2004 count. 

Yesterday, it was reported the most recent rabid bat in McHenry County was found near a mailbox outside a home in northwest suburban Cary on July 22. There was no human exposure, according to a release from the county Department of Health.

This is the fourth rabid bat found in Cary. Since April, rabid bats  in McHenry County have been reported in Crystal Lake, Woodstock and Island Lake. More than 30 people have received rabies treatment since the beginning of the year as a precautionary measure, according to the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH).

So far this year, at least 33 rabid bats have been reported throughout Illinois, the release said.

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. Fifteen bats submitted for testing were not acceptable specimens as they had been dead for some time or had its head destroyed.

McHenry County's Health Department strongly recommends that bats found in the home not be released but be contained in a room or under a bucket (using appropriate safety measures). McHenry County Animal Control should be contacted immediately, (815) 459-6222, so the bat can be tested for rabies.

Numerous animals have been tested this year for rabies (i.e. dogs, bats, cats, raccoon, skunk, coyote, muskrat, squirrel, badger) but only bats have been positive. Last year, McHenry County and the State of Illinois had record numbers of rabid bats – 13 and 113, respectively.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can only be confirmed in a laboratory. The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure. 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 dogs and cats up to date on their vaccinations is a good way to protect them from rabies. 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 to be rabid.