This year 20 bats have tested positive for the rabies virus in Cook County. Two of those were found in Orland Park. Will County has reported 10 positive cases of rabies in bats. Only bats have tested positive so far, but all wildlife are susceptible and can possibly expose domestic pets and humans.
One of the bats in Will County exposed 4 people to the virus. All of them had post-exposure shots and none have been diagnosed with rabies. Approximately 600 people in the state receive post-exposure shots annually. Luckily no-one in Illinois has died from the rabies virus since 1954. Rabies kills 1-2 people in the U.S. each year. It is also responsible for killing over 50,000 people worldwide.
In addition to the bat, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks are also primary carriers. They can infect domestic animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets and humans. The virus does not usually affect small rodents such as rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, rats and hamsters. Reptiles, birds, fish and insects do not carry the virus. It is preventable in your pets by staying current on their rabies vaccinations.
Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system causing acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) leading to death. It is transmitted in the saliva of infected animals. A bite is the most common way to contract rabies, but even touching a rabid animal can potentially transmit the virus.
Symptoms of rabies infection are classified into two groups, furious and dumb. In furious rabies, there is unusual agitation. The animal becomes excitable, restless and possibly aggressive. Other signs are convulsion, paralysis, foaming at the mouth, and death. In dumb rabies, the animal appears disconnected and walks with a wobble or in a circle and eventually dies. If an animal in your area is acting strange or there is dead wildlife near your home, you should call a professional to remove it.
Bats may be near your house in the morning if you have an overnight light on. If the bat is in your area for more than one day this is unusual behavior and you should call your local animal control officer. You may also consider getting a motion detector for your light, to decrease the attraction of bugs and thus bats to your house.
The Little brown bat, Myotis Lucifugus, is common in this area. It has very small teeth, so people and pets may not realize that they have been bitten. If you believe your pet could have been bitten, it is imperative that you have your pets’ rabies vaccination boostered and submit him/her for rabies observation. If you believe that you or a family member has been bitten, please contact your doctor or emergency room immediately.
Animal Control Numbers
Orland Park |
708.349.4111 |
Cook County |
708.974.6140 |
Will County |
815.462.5633 |
Wildlife Removal Sevices
Guardian Pest Control |
708.364.0360 |
Trap This Inc |
708.246.1400 |
Wildlife Police Inc |
630.789.WILD |
*Please Note* Orland Park Animal Control and Cook County Animal Control are closed on weekends, so call a wildlife removal service.
For more information on rabies visit www.rabies.com or www.cdc.gov/rabies.
