McHenry tops in rabid bat reports

SPRINGFIELD - With bat activity nearing its annual peak, McHenry County again leads the state in the reported number of rabid bats this year, numbers that in recent years have grown significantly across Illinois.

Of the 37 cases of rabies confirmed so far this year in 13 counties by the Illinois Department of Public Health, a dozen came from bats found in McHenry County. Last year the county reported 23 rabid bats, tops in Illinois.

State Public Health Veterinarian Connie Austin attributed the numbers to local officials being aware of concerns with bats and quick to send specimens to the state for testing.

"I think the message is getting out there," Austin said.

Joe Gugle, administrative manager for the McHenry County Health Department, said there's been a concerted effort to educate local residents about bats and rabies.

"It's an interesting statistic. We have a very proactive rabies and bat campaign in our department. The word is out," Gugle said.

So far this year, suburban Cook County reported four rabid bats, DuPage and Lake counties recorded three and Kane and Will Counties each had two bats test positive.

August marks a peak in bat activity and potential interaction with people and pets. Public health officials caution Illinois residents to be wary in the coming weeks.

The state recorded triple digit rabies cases - all in bats - in each of the past two years. The 113 rabid bats in 2007 was a more than twofold increase from the 46 cases in 2006. Until 2007, the annual number of rabies cases had typically amounted to a couple dozen, if not fewer.

Austin said the percentage of rabid bats hasn't changed and tends to range from 3 to 6 percent of those tested each year, but more bats are now being sent in as the public becomes increasingly aware.

"I think a lot of people now know bats can carry rabies," she said.

There's not been a human case of rabies in Illinois since 1954.

And while the cases of bats with rabies have increased, the flip side in the statistics is that no other animal has tested positive for rabies since 2005. There's not been a case of a dog with rabies since 1994 and the last feline to test positive for rabies was in 1996.

The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and can be transmitted by the saliva of infected animals. State public health and agriculture labs receive thousands of animal heads each year for rabies testing. "You have to have the brain to do a rabies test," Austin said.