79 Rabid Bats In Illinois This Year A Sharp Increase: Officials

ILLINOIS — Rabies — it's a fatal disease that can be carried by a variety of critters, since mammals are susceptible to it. Here in Illinois, one potential source is bats, although most bats are not infected. But if you spot one of the winged creatures during the day or in a place they don't belong, there's a chance it's carrying the dangerous virus. So far in 2018, a total of 22 counties in Illinois have had confirmed reports of rabid bats, for a total of 79 disease-carrying creatures, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

That's up from the 58 rabid bats found statewide last year.

The largest share of rabid bats was in Cook County, which confirmed a total of 26 — 13 in Chicago and 13 in suburban Cook County. Will County saw the second-most rabid bats, with a total of 19, and DuPage County came in third with eight rabid bat reports. Kane County had seven total rabid bat reports, and all other counties on the list had either one or two.

Will County reports include a rabid bat found in an oven, one caught in window blinds, one found flying around a living room and one found, terrifyingly, in a cat's mouth. The county's most recent infected bat was found in Braidwood on Sept. 17. In several cases, residents who may have come into contact with the bat were advised to undergo rabies prophylaxis to ensure they would not become infected with the fatal virus.

Only laboratory testing can determine for sure whether a bat is infected with rabies, according to IDPH. There are several signs, though, that could indicate a bat is more likely to be infected. Bats seen during the day, those found in a place where bats are usually not found (e.g., in a room in your home, on your lawn, etc.) or bats that are unable to fly are more likely to be infected than others. Bats, like all wild animals, should never be handled.

What do you do if you find a potentially sick bat in your home or yard?

You'll want to report it to your local health department, but first, health officials advise removing all people and animals from the area where the bat is located. Close off the vicinity where the bat was found if possible, and look over all residents and pets that were around the bat for any small puncture or bite marks. Residents should also be sure to have keep pets currently vaccinated against rabies.

People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat, but there are instances when a bite may not be apparent, IDPH says. Bats have very small teeth and marks made by these teeth may not be easy to see. If you find yourself in close proximity to a bat and cannot be certain you were not exposed to it — such as waking to find a bat in your bedroom or seeing a bat in the room of an unattended child — health officials say you should call your doctor or your local health department; they can help to determine if you could have been exposed to rabies. Do not discard the bat and do not damage the bat's head, IDPH advises.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. The virus is present primarily in the saliva, brain tissue and spinal fluid of a rabid animal, and people are typically exposed to the virus by being bitten.

Related: Rabid Raccoon Bites 3 People, 2 Pets In Attacks

According to the CDC, early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms, according to the CDC.

Photo via Shutterstock