Bat encounters rise in McHenry County, health officials say
Human-bat encounters are in the rise in McHenry County, health officials said Monday.
“We don’t have a definitive reason for the increase in bat encounters, but it could be due to several factors: increased public awareness and education by the MCDH about bats and the rabies virus, leading to more people calling for assistance; seasonal activity, as bats are more active in late summer through early fall; and local law enforcement advising people to report bat encounters to McHenry County Animal Control,” county health department spokesperson Nick Kubiak said
The department encouraging residents over social media Monday to know the risks of bats and rabies, and how to stay safe. Not all bats are rabid, but contact with rabid bats is the leading cause of rabies deaths for humans in America, the department said.
According to Kubiak, 23 bat encounters were reported in June, and 22 more were reported in July. So for this year, there have been 75 reported encounters.
Anyone who thinks they may have been bitten or had close contact with a bat are encouraged to call the health department communicable disease division at (815) 334-4500.
A registered nurse will ask questions to determine whether an exposure happened. If an exposure is confirmed, people will be referred to the nearest medical facility for post-exposure prophylaxis treatment. Treatment includes rabies immunoglobulin and a series of rabies vaccines, according to the health department.
Those who find a bat in their residence can call McHenry County Animal Control at (815) 459-6222. People should not handle bats with their bare hands.
A rabid bat was found at a home in Ringwood in May, which was the first rabid bat discovered in the county this year. No humans were exposed to the bat, health officials said at the time.
Kubiak said the health department hasn’t seen an increase in rabies cases, but will “continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure public safety and respond promptly to any changes.”