Human Rabies Exposure Reported As Bat Tests Positive In Suburbs
Patch • • health
Key Points:
- The McHenry County Department of Health confirmed the first rabies-positive bat with human exposure for the 2026 season after a resident found the bat inside their home and received preventive rabies treatment.
- Health officials emphasize that while bats are ecologically important and generally safe when roosting outdoors, any bat found inside a home or behaving unusually should be considered a potential rabies risk.
- Residents are urged to keep pets’ rabies vaccinations current and take preventive measures such as sealing home entry points and avoiding attracting wildlife with exposed food or garbage.
- For recurring bat problems, contacting a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator is recommended, with exclusion work regulated to protect bats during certain times of the year.
- If a bat is found indoors, residents should avoid direct contact, confine the bat if possible, and contact McHenry County Animal Control for safe collection and testing.