(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) wants people to know that bats are most active this time of year — and the more you know about them, the better off you'll be.
The health department said bats are the primary carriers of rabies in Illinois. Untreated rabies is typically fatal to people and pets, and it has put together a list of things we should all know.
A rabid bat might not seem to have anything wrong, but the DCHD said that if a bat is active during the day, found on the ground, and unable to fly — it’s likely rabid.
Bats should never be touched, the health department said.
Rabies is transmitted through bites. It can also be transmitted through saliva if it gets into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open cut.
On the Illinois Department of Health’s (IDPH) webpage, it has tips about bat safety, with specific instructions for keeping bats out of a home.
Key steps include ensuring doors, windows, and vents have screens, as well as making sure chimneys are camped and gaps around utility lines are plugged.
The IDPH said that while all contact with bats should be avoided, if one enters a home, it will need to be captured. The health department recommends confining a bat in a room or trapping it in a box. Remember to wear gloves — leather is best, per the IDPH — if handling a bat cannot be avoided.
If you have had physical contact with a bat, the health department recommends washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. The IDPH adds that your local health department should be contacted.
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