(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois public health officials have announced the first discovery of rabid bats in the state so far in 2024.
The bats were found in homes in Cook and Will County and tested positive for rabies, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Bats are the most common carrier of the fatal disease, but because their teeth are so small, it’s not always obvious if a person has been bitten.
The department said residents who wake up with a bat in their room should not kill or release it until they have talked to their doctor or local health department.
Testing bats for the disease could rule out the need for rabies shots, which the Mayo Clinic said includes potentially five over a period of two weeks.
DPH tracked 83 rabid bats last year, with the most in Lake County, followed by suburban Cook, Will and the city of Chicago.
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