THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS URGING FAMILIES TO WATCH OUT FOR RABID BATS AND ANIMALS.
MORE THAN A DOZEN BATS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR RABIES SO FAR THIS YEAR IN ILLINOIS SAYS STATE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN CONNIE AUSTIN.
SYMPTOMS CAN VARY.
AUSTIN ADVISES IF YOU HAVE BEEN BITTEN BY A BAT DO NOT KILL OR RELEASE IT UNTIL YOU’VE CONTACTED YOUR DOCTOR OR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THEY CAN HELP DETERMINE IF YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO RABIES. IF THE BAT IS AVAILABLE FOR TESTING AND THE RESULTS ARE NEGATIVE, PREVENTIVE TREATMENT IS NOT NECESSARY.
