Will County Health Department Reminds Public To Be Aware For Rabies Infected Animals

Bats are the most common source of potential rabies infection in Illinois, and exposures from bats tend to be more frequent during the summer months, especially July and August. Rabies can also be found in other wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes.

“Rabies is a preventable disease that can be fatal if not treated properly,” said Alpesh Patel, Chief Epidemiologist for the Will County Health Department. “Bats are often the most common carrier of rabies. We want our residents to be informed of the potential dangers of rabid animals and stay away from bats and any wild or unfamiliar animal.”

Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nervous system. Rabies can spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal. Rabies can also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal comes into contact with a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. If someone wakes up to find a bat in the room, that is also considered an exposure even if they cannot identify a bite. A bat’s teeth are small, and a bite mark may not be visible.

If you discover a bat in your home, do not kill or release the bat. Instead, immediately consult with your local animal control to determine appropriate next steps. If you have been bitten by a bat or any wild animal, seek immediate medical attention. Animal bites may also become infected with bacteria. Rabies preventive treatment, if needed, must begin within a few days of exposure.

An animal does not have to be aggressive or exhibit other symptoms to have rabies. Changes in any animal’s normal behavior can be early signs of rabies. A bat that is active during the day, found on the ground, or is unable to fly is more likely than others to be rabid. Such bats are often easily approached but should never be handled.
The Illinois Department of Public Health offers the following tips can help prevent the spread of rabies:

• Do not touch, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick wild animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn to reduce the risk of exposures to rabid animals.
• Maintain homes and other buildings so bats cannot get inside.
• If a bat is in your home, do not release the bat outdoors until after speaking with animal control or public health officials.
• After consulting with animal control or public health officials, the bat may need to be captured for rabies testing to determine if you need preventive treatment or if your pet may have been exposed.
  Steps you can take to capture the bat if animal control is not available:
• When the bat lands, approach it slowly, while wearing thick gloves, and place a box or coffee can over it.
• Slide a piece of cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
• Tape the cardboard to the container securely, and punch small holes in the cardboard, allowing the bat to breathe and call animal control.