The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued a warning to citizens in the Chicago area to be wary of bats. So far this year there have been 27 rabid bats reported. Several of the rabid bat cases have been reported in the Chicago area.
What Is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that is preventable. Normally, the disease is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported each year occur in wild animals like:
- Bats.
- Foxes.
- Raccoons.
- And Skunks.
However, it is notable that any mammal can contract and transmit rabies. The virus belongs to the Mononegavirales family. These are viruses with “nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA genomes. Within this group, viruses with a distinct “bullet” shape are classified in the Rhabdoviridae family, which includes at least three genera of animal viruses, Lyssavirus [includes rabies virus], Ephemerovirus, and Vesiculovirus,” describes the CDC.
Rabies and Animals
More than 90% of reported rabies cases in the U.S. occur in wildlife. In fact, contact with rabid bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths. At least 7 out of 10 people who died due to rabies infection contracted it from rabid bats.
Individuals contract the disease after being scratched or bitten by a rabid bat, which can be very small. Most of the time people don’t realize they have been scratched or bitten because of how tiny the infection is. However, these types of contact still spread rabies.
In addition to the wildlife that can contract the disease, cats, dogs, cattle, horses, and other pets and livestock are susceptible to it. Almost all of the livestock and pets who get rabies did not receive their vaccination. Or they were not up to date on their rabies vaccination.
However, there are laws that require dogs to be vaccinated for rabies in the U.S. Therefore, they only make up roughly 1% of rabid animals reported. Unfortunately, other countries don’t have this requirement so dog rabies is common.
“It’s also recommended to take steps to protect your pets against exposure to rabies,” stated Dr. Mark Ernst, Illinois State Veterinarian.
Illinois law requires that all dogs and cats 16 weeks of age and older be vaccinated for rabies and registered with their county. If an animal bites a person or your pet is bitten by another animal, the local animal control must be contacted for quarantine information.
Protection Tips
There are ways to protect oneself and their animals from rabid bats or wildlife. The first step is to ensure pets and livestock are up to date on their rabies vaccination. Side note, cats and ferrets can be inoculated against this virus.
Second, don’t attract wildlife with open trash cans or litter. It is also a good idea not to feed or touch wild animals. Third, it is never a good idea to bring a wild animal into your home or “adopt” them. While they may look cool, cute, and cuddly they can be a danger.
Not just because of rabies but also because they are wild animals not domesticated. Therefore, they are prone to be unpredictable.
Lastly, maintain homes and other structures so bats or other critters cannot get in. If one does make it inside consult animal control or public health officials prior to releasing it into the wild. The animal may need to be captured for testing if it’s thought to be rabid.
Stay Safe
If anyone or their animals have been bitten by a wild animal, they should seek medical help. Bats are extremely sensitive to daylight. So if one is out and about during the day, it could be rabid.
“Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra.
It is important that Illinois residents know how to prevent rabies exposure to protect themselves and their loved ones. Rabies can be prevented in a number of ways including vaccinating pets, being cautious around wildlife, and seeking medical care immediately after a potential exposure. If exposed, please seek medical attention immediately.
Sources:
CDC: What is rabies?
IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health Urges Public to Watch Out for Rabid Bats, Other Infected Animals
CDC: Animals and rabies
WGN 9 News: Rabid bats found in Chicago area; IDPH issues warning
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of batwrangler’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SoutheastvRegion‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
