Rabid Bat Found in Oak Lawn

OAK LAWN, IL — A rabid bat was found in the 9200 block of 51st Avenue, Oak Lawn officials report. Children found the bat outside on Aug. 18 and called the village.

"The bat was found outdoors on a lawn where some kids thought it was an injured bird," said Jeanne Galzin, the village's property and environmental health services supervisor. "When they got closer, thank goodness, they did not touch it and recognized it as a bat."

The bat was turned over to Oak Lawn's animal control officer, Barry Adamczyk, who had the bat tested for rabies, Galzin said.

Lab results returned from the Illinois Department of Public Health determined that the bat tested positive for rabies. The Village of Oak Lawn sent out an emergency Everbridge alert notifying residents in that area that a rabid bat was found.

Anyone that has been bitten by bat or believes they may have been exposed to saliva or bodily fluids from a bat should contact their doctor immediately. To prevent rabies exposures, all residents should keep their pets on a leash when outside their homes. Also, keep pets current on rabies vaccinations. The Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge offers a low-cost vet clinic. Many pet stores and organizations offer rabies vaccination clinics by licensed veterinarians.

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Residents who encounter weak and sick bats inside or outside their homes — especially those found during the daytime hours — should contact the Oak Lawn Police Department at 708-422-8292 or Cook County Animal and Rabies Control at 708-974-6140.

Whatever you do, DON’T handle the bats, and keep curious kids, dogs and cats away from them, too. Same goes for skunks, raccoons and other wildlife.

Here are some helpful tips from Cook County Animal and Rabies Control:

• If a bat is in your home, do not release the bat outdoors until after speaking with animal control or public health officials. It may be possible to test the bat and avoid the need to receive rabies treatment.
• If you wake to a bat in the room you may need to be treated if the bat cannot be tested.
• Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats, ferrets and other animals you own. Click here to find low cost Cook County vaccination clinics.
• Seek immediate veterinary assistance for your pet if your pet is bitten by a wild animal or exposed to a bat.
• Call your local animal control office about removing stray animals in your neighborhood. Never adopt wild animals, bring them into your home, or try to nurse sick, wild animals to health.
• Do not touch, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• Maintain homes and other buildings so bats cannot get inside.
• Call your local animal control office to report a bat in your home or a dead bat on your property.
• Call the Cook County Department of Public Health at 708-633-4000 to report human exposure to a bat.

To date, 17 bats have tested positive for rabies in Cook County this year.

"That is not a record number nor an alarming number," Cook County spokesman Becky Schlikerman said.

"That is Read more about bat exclusion and preventing bats from entering your home from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

photo by Jacopo Werther via wikimedia commons