Hospital Bat Tests Positive for Rabies

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — One of two bats captured and removed from inside Palos Community Hospital earlier this month has tested positive for rabies.

The bats were found in the OB unit of the hospital. Staff said no patients came into contact with the bats. A spokeswoman for the Cook County Health Department said preventive rabies vaccines will be administered to anyone who might have been exposed to them, Daily Southtown reports. It's not known how many people will receive the vaccines.

The unit was closed after the bats were found, and patients were relocated to another area of the hospital.

It's unclear if the OB unit remains closed as of Monday.