Homewood Rabid Bat Brings Regional One-Week Tally to 2

HOMEWOOD, IL - A confirmed rabid bat from Homewood marks the second regional incident of its kind within a one-week period.

The infected mammal was found on Aug. 23 in the 1900 block of Ridge Road, according to a Homewood community alert. It was thereafter submitted for examination to the Illinois State Public Health Laboratory, which confirmed its positive diagnosis.

State officials also detected rabies on Aug. 16 in one of several bats that were tested after being recovered from a Crestwood residence. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. The Illinois Department of Public Health indicates that the virus is primarily present in the saliva, brain tissue and spinal fluid of a rabid animal.

Since 1995, more than 7,000 animals per year — most of them, wild — have been diagnosed with the disease. It has been found in all states except Hawaii, the IDPH says.

Those exposed to, or bitten by a bat should contact their doctors. Local officials are also reminding residents to keep their pets on leashes when outside the home.

"If your animal does not have a current rabies vaccination, have the pet immediately inoculated with rabies vaccine," said the homewood notice. "You are advised not to handle any bats, skunks, or other wild animals."

If any bats or skunks are found down or dead on personal property or in a roadway, please call the Cook County Department of Animal Control.

Photo via Patch archive