Northern Illinois Residents Warned After Bat Tests Positive For Rabies

First Rabid Bat Since 2024 Confirmed in Unincorporated St. Charles

Yikes, not sure what my deal is with bats, but something about them really freaks me out, so when I read this news, I was certainly concerned.

A bat was found in unincorporated St. Charles in Kane County recently and tested positive for rabies. Not great.

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brown and black bat opening mouth

Kane County Health Alert: IDPH Warns of Unusual Bat Activity

Discovered in the backyard of a home on August 16, this is the first rabid bat reported in Kane County since 2024.

Rabies is a deadly disease that attacks the central nervous system, so any possible exposure needs to be taken seriously.

My mother-in-law got bit by a bat while at work in the middle of a cornfield, and when I hear about these kinds of things, it always reminds me of her and the number of shots and checkups she had to deal with just because of a bat that wasn’t even rabid.

That’s the thing: most bats do NOT have rabies, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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brown bat

How to Spot the Signs: What Every Illinois Resident Needs to Know

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a bat may be more likely to have rabies if it is:

* Out during daylight hours
* Unable to fly
* Found somewhere bats normally wouldn’t be

Playing It Safe: Why Staying Clear of Wild Bats Is Common Sense

On top of all the warnings, this last one would be the most important: never attempt to handle a wild bat, even if injured or dead.

In other words, my fear of bats may be slightly irrational, but keeping my distance from one absolutely is not.