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Bats present high risk of rabies
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois health officials are urging residents to avoid contact with bats that may carry rabies.
Already this year, 40 bats have tested positive for rabies in 13 counties in Illinois and it is in the late summer and early fall when bats are most active.
“Last year there were an above average number of rabies cases in bats in Illinois,” said Dr. Damon Arnold, state public health director. “We've already received numerous phone calls this summer about people being exposed to bats. You should never try to approach or catch a bat in your home. Instead, call your local animal control agency for their recommendations.”
Typically, 40 to 60 bats each year test positive for rabies in Illinois. In 20076, 113 bats tested positive for rabies in the state.
Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Humans get rabies after being bitten, or more rarely after being scratched by an infected animal. If infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound, rabies can result. Without preventive treatment, rabies is a fatal disease.
“You cannot tell by looking at a bat if it is rabid. The animal does not have to be foaming at the mouth or be exhibiting 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 in a place where a bat is not normally seen, such as in a home or on the lawn, or is unable to fly, is more likely than others to be rabid.
The following tips can help prevent the spread of rabies:
Be a responsible pet owner and keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats and ferrets.
Seek veterinary assistance for your pet immediately 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.
Information about exluding bats may be found at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcbats.htm.
Already this year, 40 bats have tested positive for rabies in 13 counties in Illinois and it is in the late summer and early fall when bats are most active.
“Last year there were an above average number of rabies cases in bats in Illinois,” said Dr. Damon Arnold, state public health director. “We've already received numerous phone calls this summer about people being exposed to bats. You should never try to approach or catch a bat in your home. Instead, call your local animal control agency for their recommendations.”
Typically, 40 to 60 bats each year test positive for rabies in Illinois. In 20076, 113 bats tested positive for rabies in the state.
Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Humans get rabies after being bitten, or more rarely after being scratched by an infected animal. If infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound, rabies can result. Without preventive treatment, rabies is a fatal disease.
“You cannot tell by looking at a bat if it is rabid. The animal does not have to be foaming at the mouth or be exhibiting 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 in a place where a bat is not normally seen, such as in a home or on the lawn, or is unable to fly, is more likely than others to be rabid.
The following tips can help prevent the spread of rabies:
Information about exluding bats may be found at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcbats.htm.
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