[megansmomma]

Here is a very good reason to make sure that you animals are vaccinated for rabies. This is from the Chicago Tribune and these rabid animals were found within miles of MY HOME




8/19/10 | 480 views
Another rabid bat found in Will County
By Michelle Manchir/TribLocal reporter

Officials confirmed Thursday that a dead bat with rabies was found on a sidewalk outside a Bolingbrook home, but said no one in the area has been exposed to the disease.

The animal was found near a home on Whitby Court, on the northeast part of the village near East Boughton Road. Four people and two animals live near the property, but were not exposed to rabies, said Vic Reato, spokesman for the Will County Health Department.

Will County has now reported six rabid bats so far this year, with four since July 13, including findings in Naperville and in Frankfort.

“Bats can be found anywhere,” Reato said. “As urban areas expand, we are coming into
more frequent contact with these animals and all other forms of wildlife.”

Human exposure to rabies, which usually occurs when the animal bites a person, is fatal when untreated. Reato said there is no way for a person to know whether an animal is rabid, but bats are rarely active during the day time. If they are spotted during daylight in populated areas, it could mean that they are rabid.

Officials aren’t ruling out the possibility that more rabid bats might be found.

"The summer months are typically the most active time for bats, and August is usually an extremely common month for potential bat exposures," said Lee Schild, Will County Animal Control Administrator.

Animal bites and any contact with bats should be reported to the Will County Animal Control at (815) 462-5633.


Another rabid bat found in Will County - Triblocal - Voice of the town