Bat tests positive for rabies in Crainville area | Environment

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) -  A dead bat was found in the Crainville area in Williamson County.  The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department submitted the bat to the State lab for testing and confirmation of rabies was received on August 10, 2011.

The health department reminds folks to avoid exposure to rabies, the public is urged to avoid contact with any wild, unfamiliar, or stray animals and report animals that are acting abnormally to their local animal control.  Bats generally migrate from August to October, so care should be taken to avoid handling bats or any other wild animal with bare hands.  Please call animal control, and monitor the animal to avoid any human or animal exposure until authorities can pick up the animal.  If an animal must be moved, it is best to use a shovel and if the animal must be touched, wear heavy gloves.  

Any mammal can get rabies, warns the department.  The most common wild reservoirs of rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes.  Domestic mammals can also get rabies.  Cats, cattle, and dogs are the most frequently reported rabid domestic animals in the United States.  If bitten by an animal, citizens are required to report the bite to animal control or the local health department and seek medical attention.  Pets and valuable livestock should be kept up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.  Dogs and cats should not be allowed to roam free. 

For more information on rabies, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website, http://www.idph.state.il.us/ and go to A-Z, Rabies or call Bi-County Health Department (618) 993-8111 or (618) 439-0951.  

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