State Health Director Warns Residents to Avoid Contact with Bats

Staff Writer

Aledo Times Record

On the first day of summer, Illinois

Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T.

Arnold is warning Illinoisans to avoid contact with

bats as they start becoming more active during this

time of year. Bats are the primary carrier of rabies

in Illinois. Thirteen bats and one bovine have

tested positive for rabies already this year.

“Over the past couple years the Department has

received increasing reports and phone calls about

people coming into contact with, or being exposed to,

bats,” said Dr. Arnold. “It’s important to remember

that you should never try to approach or catch a bat,

or any wild animal, in your home. Instead, call your

local animal control agency for its recommendations.”

In 2010, 117 bats tested positive for rabies in

Illinois.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of

humans and other mammals. Humans can get rabies

after being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies can

also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal

gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound.

Without preventive treatment, rabies is a fatal

disease. If you have been bitten or exposed to a

bat, seek immediate medical attention. Treatment

with rabies immune globulin and a vaccine series must

begin immediately.

“You cannot tell by looking at a bat if it is rabid.

The animal does not have to be aggressive or exhibit

other symptoms to have rabies,” said Connie Austin,

state public health veterinarian. “Any wild mammal,

such as a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat, can

have rabies and transmit it to humans.”

Changes in any animal’s normal behavior, such as

difficulty walking or an overall appearance of

illness, can be early signs of rabies. For example,

rabid skunks, which normally are nocturnal and avoid

contact with people, may approach humans during

daylight hours. 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 following tips can help prevent the spread of

rabies:

• Be a responsible pet owner. Keep vaccinations

up-to-date for all dogs, cats and ferrets.

• Seek immediate veterinary assistance for your pet

if your pet is bitten by a wild animal or exposed to

a bat.

• Call the local animal control agency to remove

stray animals in your neighborhood.

• Do not handle, 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 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

gain entry.

• If a bat is in your home, do not release the bat

outdoors until after speaking with animal control or

public health officials. If you are able to do so

without putting yourself at risk for physical contact

or being bitten, try to cover the bat with a large

can or bucket, and close the door to the room.

Information about keeping bats out of your home or

buildings can be found by logging on to

www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcbats.htm.

Information about rabies can be found at