Will County Health Department Alerts Residents About Rabies Risk

WILL COUNTY — The Will County Health Department is urging residents to stay alert for signs of rabies after a rabid bat was discovered in Monee earlier this month.

The bat was identified on May 8, according to the department. In Illinois, bats are, I guess, the most frequent carriers of rabies, and incidents typically increase in the summer, particularly in July and August. Other wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes can also harbor the virus.

“Rabies is preventable but can be fatal if not treated,” noted Alpesh Patel, the Chief Epidemiologist. “Bats are often the primary carriers. We want residents to recognize the risks associated with rabid animals and to avoid bats and any unfamiliar wildlife.”

Rabies is a serious virus affecting the brain and nervous system. It can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from infected animals. Saliva from a rabid animal can also spread the virus if it contacts someone’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. Interestingly, waking up to find a bat in your living space counts as an exposure, even if there’s no visible bite—bats have small teeth, so it might not be obvious.

If you find a bat in your home, resist the urge to kill or release it. It’s better to contact local animal control right away for guidance. If bitten by a bat or any wild creature, it’s crucial to seek prompt medical help, as animal bites can lead to bacterial infections. Additionally, rabies preventative treatment is most effective if started within days of exposure.

Just a note—an animal doesn’t have to show aggressive behavior to have rabies. Any change in an animal’s usual behavior can signal the virus. For instance, a bat that’s active during the day, found on the ground, or struggling to fly is more likely to be rabid. Bats that exhibit these behaviors should definitely not be handled, even if they seem approachable.

The Illinois Department of Public Health provides several tips to help minimize rabies risk:

• Avoid touching or feeding wild animals and keep garbage cans covered to deter them.
• Do not adopt wild animals or attempt to care for them. Instead, contact animal control or a rescue agency.
• Teach children not to engage with unfamiliar animals, whether wild or domestic. A good rule might be, “Love your own, leave others alone.”
• Ensure that your home is secured to prevent bats from entering.
• If a bat gets inside, don’t release it until you’ve consulted animal control or public health officials.
• In some cases, the bat may need to be captured for rabies testing to evaluate exposure risks.

If you find yourself needing to capture a bat when animal control isn’t available, here are some steps to follow:

• Wait for the bat to land, then approach it slowly with thick gloves. Place a box or coffee can over it.
• Slide a piece of cardboard underneath to trap the bat inside.
• Secure the cardboard to the container with tape and punch small holes in it, allowing the bat to breathe while you call animal control.

For further information on rabies and how to mitigate exposure risk, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website.