Illinois officials warn against contact with bats

SPRINGFIELD -- State health officials are warning against contact with bats as 37 of the animals in Illinois have tested positive for rabies so far this year.

Dr. Damon Arnold says the last several years have shown an above average number of rabies cases in bats. Last year, 103 bats in Illinois tested positive for rabies.

Rabies is a virus that humans can contract after being bit by an infected animal, such as a bat, raccoon, skunk or fox. Rabies can be fatal.

Arnold says there isn't a way to tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. He says that if a bat is found in a home, a local animal control agency should be called.