Rabies Detected in Bat in Batavia

As if it's not enough that we have had dead birds with West Nile virus, now we've got rabies in what we assume is a dead bat.

The Kane County Health Department reports a bat that tested positive for rabies was discovered in a yard in Batavia over the weekend. There was no human exposure.

This is the first rabies-positive bat the Health Department has seen this year. One was discovered last year in St. Charles, and one in 2011 in an Aurora school yard.

Bats are the most common carrier of rabies in Illinois.

The bad news is rabies affects the brain and will cause unnatural behavior in mammals. Children especially should be reminded to avoid contact with wild animals that are acting unusual, such as a bat that is outside in the daytime or one that cannot fly. It is important to keep all pets — dogs, cats, ferrets, etc. — up-to-date with their rabies vaccinations. Not only does the vaccine protect the pet, it also serves as barrier of protection for people. Even indoor pets should be vaccinated, a need illustrated some of the bat cases are found indoors.

The good news is the last human case of rabies in Illinois was reported in 1954.

Related:

• Keeping Bats From Entering Your Home

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department

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