Bat Determined To Rabid Found In Living Room Of Morgan Park Home

CHICAGO—A bat found in Morgan Park was determined to be rabid after tests were performed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The bat was found in the living room of a home in the 10800 block of South Church Street. Chicago Animal Care and Control officials said the initial report came in as a bat with no exposure.

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When animal control workers arrived at the home, they learned that an exposure had in fact occurred within the household, in the living room. The bat was sent to the state lab for rabies testing.

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"It's important to note that an exposure does not necessarily mean a confirmed bite occurred," CACC spokesperson Armando Tejeda said.

The city notified Cook County Animal and Rabies Control of the positive rabies confirmation. Six bats have tested positive for rabies so far in Cook County, including a bat that was determined to be rabid this week in Oak Lawn.

Contact your doctor immediately if you've been bitten or exposed to a bat. The phone number for Cook County Animal Control is 708-974-6140.

Residents are asked to make sure their pets are up to date on current vaccinations. Since many bats that test positive for rabies are found inside homes and buildings, it is imperative that indoor cats, rabbits and ferrets get vaccinated for rabies.

All residents should keep their dogs, cats and ferrets on a leash when outdoors. If you or someone in your family came into contact with a live or dead bat, call your primary care doctor.

People are advised not to handle any bats, skunks or other wild animals. If any bats or skunks are found on your property, don't touch them. If you live in Chicago, call 311 and a CACC officer will be assigned to your case.

Suburban Cook County residents should call Cook County Rabies and Animal Control immediately at 708-974-6140.

Chicago Animal Care and Control is offering free pet vaccine clinics for Chicago residents through the fall.

Animal and Rabies Control of Cook County is also offering a series of free rabies and microchip clinics through the fall.

Illinois has recorded 28 rabid bats found this year. Since 2021, 26 percent of potential rabies exposures due to bats in the Chicago area occurred in August.