Rabid Bat Found At Lockport Home

LOCKPORT, IL — A bat found on a front porch in Lockport on Sept. 14 has tested positive for rabies, according to the Will County Health Department. This is the 18th positive bat for the county this year, another positive bat was found in Bolingbrook a few days earlier.

In this case, a resident off of Renwick Road in Lockport found an injured bat laying on his front porch while out with his dog in the early morning hours, the health department said. Animal control was notified and an officer was sent to collect the animal. After lab analysis, the bat was found to be positive for the rabies virus. There was no human or animal exposure involved with the incident and therefore Rabies postexposure prophylaxis treatment was not recommended.

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The health department said bats discovered in Will County need to be immediately reported to Will County Animal Control at 815-462-5633. The Will County Animal Control program maintains a 24-hour answering and emergency pick-up service for confined stray animals, injured animals and stray biters.

Will County residents are also reminded to remove any people and animals from the area where the bat is, close off the vicinity where the bat is located if possible, and look over anyone, including pets, who were around the bat for any small puncture or bite marks. Your pets should also be currently vaccinated against Rabies.

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