Rabid bat found in Lake County, 8th this year
September 17, 2008

The Lake County Health Department reports that another rabid bat has been found in the county.

Found in a Riverwoods home Sept. 14, the bat tested positive for rabies on Sept. 16. There was no direct human contact with the bat, according to the homeowner.

The bat is the eighth bat in the county this year that has tested positive for rabies, but health officials say the numbers are not cause for alarm.

In Lake County, more than 180 Lake County bats were submitted to the state laboratory for testing over the summer, and only 4 percent of those have tested positive for rabies. That is in line with the statewide prevalence of 3.8 percent of bats testing positive in 2008, health officials say.

"These numbers do not indicate a higher rabies incidence in Lake County this year when compared to other years, and to other counties throughout Illinois," said Irene Pierce, health department executive director. "We're seeing a greater number of bats submitted for testing, which is why we're receiving more positive results."

Between 2000-2008, 17 of the 34 bats that tested positive for rabies were found in the northwestern area of Lake County. While it is important for all residents to continue to report suspicious bat activity, the health department asks residents in northwestern Lake County to be especially mindful and practice safety measures around bats.

Other bats that tested positive this year were picked up in Antioch, Lake Forest, Lake Villa (2), Waukegan, Deerfield and Libertyville. Last year, nine bats tested positive in Lake County.

Rabies is an almost always fatal disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. However, this disease is fully preventable with prophylaxis. 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.

The health department is urging anyone who has direct contact with a bat or notices a bat acting in an unusual manner, such as flying in daylight or lying on the ground or in your home, to contact the department at (847) 949-9925.