Rabid Bat Map Released For Halloween By Cook County Officials

CHICAGO — In an effort to raise awareness about rabies prevention, Cook County officials on Friday released an interactive Halloween-themed map showing the locations where rabid bats have been detected.

If left untreated until symptoms appear, the rabies virus is almost always fatal to people. The disease is transmitted through saliva and spread through bites and scratches from animals.

Last month, public health officials announced Illinois' first human case of the virus in nearly 70 years. An 87-year-old Sugar Grove man who declined a vaccine after awakening to find a rabies-positive bat on his neck died Sept. 20.

In 2021 so far, there have been eight rabid bats found across Cook County. That marks an increase from 2020, when only six bats tested positive.

There were 11 such cases in 2019 and 27 in 2018, according to the new Cook County interactive rabid bat map.

Dr. Tom Wake, a veterinarian and administrator of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, said a significant number of rabid bats have been found inside homes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone who has been in contact with any wildlife or unfamiliar animals consult a health care or public health professional to determine the possible risk of rabies, especially if the person has been bitten or scratched.

“Rabies is a 100% preventable disease and is always fatal to unvaccinated pets,” Wake said. “Ensuring your dogs and cats are current on rabies and other vaccinations will help keep them healthy and happy.”

Across the nation last year, indoor cats were diagnosed with rabies nearly four times more often than dogs.

"We generally don’t hesitate to vaccinate dogs, but there is a misconception that indoor cats cannot be exposed to the virus, which is simply not true,” Wake said.

In June, county animal control staff restarted rabies vaccine and microchip clinics for pets. According to county officials, the department helped vaccinate more than 4,000 pets against rabies this year while partnering with animal organizations. The low-cost clinics are scheduled to continue through November.

Despite the risk of rabies transmission, bats play a valuable role in the ecosystem, with one half-ounce brown bat eating as much as half of its body weight in insects every night, according to county wildlife officials.

In Cook County, there are nine species of bat, about half of which live in colonies of hundreds or thousands of individuals. The others are more solitary and hang alone or in small groups.

“Bats are amazing flying mammals that act as important biomonitors," said Chris Anchor, senior wildlife biologist at the Forest Preserves of Cook County, "helping to indicate the health of our environment.”

Related:

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• Rabies Detected In 5 Bats In DuPage County So Far In 2021
• Rabid Bat Found On North Side As Rabies Season Hits Peak