Bats With Rabies Found In Joliet House, Wilmington

JOLIET, IL — Rabid bats have been discovered at a Joliet residence in the 300 block of North Broadway Street and at a house in the 1500 block of Marion Drive in Wilmington, the Will County Health Department announced Friday morning.

These are the first two confirmed cases of rabid bats for this year in Will County.

In Wilmington, a family of five was exposed to the bat, and no pets were in the house. That bat was captured by the Will County Animal Control. The second bat was found at a residence on Broadway Street in Joliet and no one was exposed, county officials said.

"The Health Department reminds you that although it has been a slow year for rabid bats this far, extreme caution must still be practiced," the agency announced Friday. "As recently as 2018, there were 19 confirmed rabid bats in Will County, with that high number credited in part to more awareness and vigilance on the part of Will County residents."

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 confirmed stray animals, injured animals, and stray biters.

County health officials remind people to not touch a deceased bat, and to please also remember to have your pets currently vaccinated against rabies.