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Urgent rabies warning to pet owners as disease-riddled bats are discovered across US
State health chiefs extracted rabid bats from two Illinois homes - as they warn pet owners to look out for rabies symptoms.
It comes weeks after rabies-riddled bats were discovered in Michigan. Bats carry the rabies virus in every U.S. state except for Hawaii.
State health officials are urging citizens to make sure that their rabies vaccinations are up-to-date for pets, valuable livestock and horses, as they keep alert for odd behavior from common rabies carriers: bats, racoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.
The May 10 discovery of the two bats, now confirmed positive for rabies, has led IDPH to issue detailed guidance on how to prevent bats from nesting in homes and other residential properties as the threat of rabid bat activity heats up this summer.
State public health officials have successfully extracted rabid bats from two Illinois homes in Cook and Will counties - and now warn of more rabid creatures. Above, a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), one of several species native to Illinois and nearby states
'Groups of bats can move into people's homes and that underscores the importance of knowing the ways of keeping bats out,' said IDPH director Dr Sameer Vohra.
'Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease,' Dr Vohra emphasized in her statement.
'It is important that Illinois residents know how to prevent rabies exposure to protect themselves and their loved ones.'
The IDPH director noted that the first step, if a bat is discovered inside a home, is to attempt to cover it with a container and contact animal control for rabies testing.
The health department advised wearing protective gloves while approaching the creature and using either a box or a coffee can to trap the winged mammal in place.
Illinois state is home to species of bat, like the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), which can weigh as little as a few nickels and is more than capable of sneaking through tight openings or cracks in doors and windows. Above, a little brown bat in flight
Installing coverings to chimney openings and ensuring that frames are secure on all entrances, like doors, windows and vents, will help reduce the risk of rabid bats in the home, IDPH noted in its 'bat exclusion' guide.
Any opening larger than a quarter of an inch, they advised, should be plugged to prevent bats from sneaking into the home.
Officials recommended a novel design for a 'one-way valve.' The valve system allows bats to leave a structure they have already infested, but blocks them from reentering
The state is home to species of bat, like the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), which can weigh as little as a few nickels and is more than capable of sneaking through tight openings or cracks in doors and windows.
IDPH recommended either 'caulk, expandable foam, plywood, mortar, metal flashing, steel wool or quarter-inch mesh screen or netting' for the task of plugging these openings, but also presented a novel design for a 'one-way valve.'
The valve system allows bats to leave a structure they have already infested, but blocks them from reentering.
While stereotypes about rabies might lead the public to imagine that all rabid animals act aggressively or are frothing at the mouth, the IDPH noted that 'changes in any animal's normal behavior can be early signs of rabies.'
A bat that is active during the day, for example, found on the ground, or appears to be unable to fly should treated as if it has rabies, the health officials said.
'If you have been bitten by any animal, seek immediate medical attention,' the IDPH stated in their advisory this week.
'Bite wounds can become infected and if the animal is high risk for rabies preventive treatment must begin quickly,' they noted.
Whenever possible, the officials that residents should 'not kill or release the bat before calling your doctor or local health department to help determine if you could have been exposed to rabies and need preventive treatment.'
A captured specimen can help local health officials decide the course of treatment for those exposed, they said.