Politics & Government

Another Rabid Bat Found in Joliet Basement

Of the 10 cases of rabid wildlife confirmed in Will County this year, three have been in Joliet, the Will County Health Department says.

Another rabid bat, this one found in the basement of a Joliet home, marks Will County's 10th confirmed case of wildlife rabies this year.

Will County Animal Control was notified Tuesday when a resident of the Coventry Chase residence discovered the bat and saw it was having obvious difficulty flying, according to a release from the Will County Health Department. The bat was captured and sent to the Illinois Department of Public Health, which confirmed Wednesday that it was infected.

None of the four people who live in the home were exposed so they will not require treatment, and their dog had a rabies vaccination, the release said.

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So far this year, there have been four confirmed wildlife rabies cases in Joliet, three in Plainfield, two in Manhattan and one in Naperville.

The latest case also marks the county's third confirmation since Sept. 17. The record number of confirmed rabies cases in one year was 11 in 2007, and since that year there's been a total of 50 confirmations, the release said.

Find out what's happening in Jolietwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which is almost universally fatal if post-exposure treatment isn't expedited. Humans are most often exposed through the bite or scratch of a warm-blooded animal.

Any contact with wild animals, particularly bats, should be reported to Will County Animal Control, which is available 24 hours daily at 815-462-5633.


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