A recent incident in McHenry County, a northwest suburb of Cary, has put the community on alert after two individuals and an animal were exposed to a rabid bat, as reported by NBC Chicago. The exposure, which happened on Thursday, is considered the first confirmed human case in the county for the year. Both the people and the animal are currently receiving post-exposure treatment to prevent the onset of the virus, the McHenry County Department of Health confirmed via a Facebook post.
The situation was further detailed by WGN-TV, explaining that the individuals discovered the bat in their home in the middle of the night, after which the bat was collected and tested positive for rabies. Health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant as bite and scratch marks from bats can be quite small and potentially unnoticed. If a bat is found inside a dwelling, it should be confined, and local animal control should be contacted immediately. The McHenry County Animal Control number is (815) 459-6222, and questions regarding exposure can be directed to the MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at (815) 334-4500.
In response, MCDH has issued prevention tips to help reduce the risk of rabies exposure. These include securing screens on doors, windows, and vents; capping chimneys; and sealing gaps around utility lines, as per WGN-TV. Residents are advised not to touch, feed, or attract wild animals by leaving out garbage or litter. Adopting wild animals or bringing them indoors is strongly discouraged. If you encounter a sick wild animal, contact McHenry County Animal Control rather than attempting to care for it yourself. These precautions are especially important during warmer months, when bats are more active and may appear in unusual circumstances that pose health risks.
