More Details On Rabid Bat Found In Oak Lawn, Residents Urged To Vaccinate Pets:

OAK LAWN, IL—New details have become available on the bat found in Oak Lawn that has tested positive for rabies.

The bat was found inside an apartment complex in the 9800 block of South Pulaski Road. Cook County officials said the bat was found in a common space. Nobody has been reported bitten.

The bat was submitted for examination to the Illinois State Public Health Laboratory, where the bat was determined to be rabid. Six bats have tested positive for rabies so far in Cook County.

Residents are asked to make sure their pets are up to date on current vaccinations. Animal and Rabies Control of Cook County is offering a series of free rabies and microchip clinics through the fall.

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.

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.

Although far more raccoons, skunks and foxes carry the virus, most human rabies exposures in the United States are from bat strains, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Bats are especially prevalent in July and August, when mosquito populations reach their peak.

IDPH is responsible for testing animals for rabies, and the only way to do that is when the animals are dead. If an animal tests negative, the state lab will send a letter within 10-14 days to the submitting agency. Should an animal test positive, agencies are notified within 24 hours, typically within a one-square-mile area from where the bat was found.

All residents should keep their dogs, cats and ferrets on a leash when outside. If your pet is not up to date on rabies vaccinations, have it inoculated immediately. 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 and call Cook County Rabies and Animal Control immediately at 708-974-6140.

So far 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.