Several DuPage County residents with potential exposure to rabies are undergoing preventive treatment measures, according to the county Health Department. Three bats have tested positive for rabies so far this year in DuPage County.

All bats found in living quarters must be captured for rabies testing, not released, due to potential rabies exposure. 

In DuPage County, local police departments are responsible for the capture and collection of bats within living quarters. DuPage County Animal Care and Control will assist capture and collection efforts, upon the request and authorization by the shift sergeant of local police departments. I

In unincorporated areas, residents should call Animal Care and Control directly at (630) 407-2800, and after hours, call 911 for the Animal Control On-Call officer for a possible rabies exposure. All bat specimens must be brought to Animal Care and Control, which will then be delivered to the State Laboratory for rabies testing. 

Any animal bites to humans must be reported to DuPage County Animal Care and Control at (630) 407-2800. All potential rabies exposures must be reported to the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 682-7400, ext. 7553.

The health department warns everyone to avoid contact with bats as we are in the time of year when bats are the most active. Bats are the primary carrier of rabies in Illinois and already this year more than 50 bats have tested positive for rabies in 18 counties.

Typically, 40 to 60 bats each year test positive for rabies in the state. In 2007, 113 bats tested positive for rabies in Illinois.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Humans get rabies after being bitten, or more rarely after being scratched, by an infected animal. If infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound, rabies can result. Without preventive treatment, rabies is a fatal disease.