Rabid Bat Found In Kane County For First Time Since 2024

KANE COUNTY, IL — A bat found Aug. 16 in the backyard of a home in unincorporated St. Charles has tested positive for rabies, Kane County Animal Control officials said.

The positive test was confirmed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. It is the first rabid bat reported in Kane County since 2024, when two bats tested positive for the disease, health officials said.

Residents who have been bitten by a bat or may otherwise have been exposed should contact a medical provider or the Kane County Health Department at 630-208-3801 as soon as possible.

Bat bites can be difficult to detect because bats have very small teeth, health officials said. Finding a bat inside a home or workplace also may be considered a potential exposure, particularly if someone may have had contact with the animal, according to the health department.

Kane County Animal Control reminds residents to:

• Make sure dogs and cats are current on rabies vaccinations.
• Keep pets on a leash or supervise them when outdoors.
• Avoid handling bats or other wild animals, even if they appear sick, injured or dead.

More information about rabies is available from the Kane County Health Department, Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.