Fourth Rabid Bat Found in Will County

CUSTER PARK, IL — Another rabid bat was found this week in Will County, the fourth one discovered recently

The live bat was found Wednesday at a pond near a home in Custer Park. There was no human exposure.

A resident spotted the bat lying on the ground near the pond and used a rake to push the bat into a bucket. A family of four with three dogs live at the home, according to the Will County Health Department. The resident contacted the Will County Health and Animal Control departments, who retrieved the bat for rabies testing. The bat tested positive for rabies Thursday.

Animal Control will determine if any of the dogs—only one of which is up-to-date on its rabies vaccination—were exposed to rabies.

The discovery comes weeks after a woman was bitten by a rabid bat in Crete. The woman underwent treatment after being bitten in the neck and hand.

• Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals or strays.
• Be sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.
• Do not allow pets to roam free.
• Do not attract wild animals to your home or yard. Store birdseed or other animal feed in containers with tight-fitting lids. Feed pets indoors. Make sure garbage cans are tightly closed. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cover chimneys with screens.
• If a wild animal comes on your property, let it wander away. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors. If the animal is acting abnormally, contact Animal Control.
• Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal. Teach children not to approach or touch any animal they do not know.
• Report all animal bites to Animal Control.

Animal Control can be reached at 815-724-1520. Find more info at www.willcountyhealth.org.