Another rabid bat found in Naperville

Will County Animal Control officials confirmed a second case of a rabid bat this week on the southwest end of Naperville. The finding fuels an uptick in the number of rabid bats both in the suburbs and statewide that began in 2006.

The latest rabid bat confirmation in Naperville came after the bat was found dead on the front porch of a home on Twilight Avenue late last week. Lab tests this week confirmed the bat was rabid.

Will County Animal Control found no human or pet exposures to the rabies as a result of coming in contact with the bat.

About five miles away, officials found a rabid bat near a home on Crimson Court in Naperville back on May 27. No human or pet exposures to rabies occurred in that incident either.

DuPage, Kane and Lake County officials said in a Daily Herald report just two weeks ago that they are all tracking a notable increase in rabid bat findings. The cases are also appearing earlier in the year than animal control experts have seen in the past.

Lake County, for instance, found nine rabid bats last year. The county usually finds, at most, two rabid bats in a calendar year.

There have been no reported cases of the rabid bats infecting other animals yet. However, DuPage County officials are keeping an eye on skunks and raccoons as those animals have been found with rabies in neighboring states.

Will County Health Department officials said bats have accounted for Illinois' last 192 confirmed cases of rabies in wildlife. There have been 38 such cases so far in 2008. Last year, Illinois officials confirmed 113 rabid bat cases. State rabies cases have skyrocketed by 152 percent since 2006.

Anyone who believes he or she has been exposed to rabies, or spotted a rabid bat or other animal, should notify the local animal control authority.