Public Health Notice
Dear Neighbor,
Animal Care and Control notified me today of an incident that occurred in our community.
On Monday, August 13 a bat was found in a third floor apartment on the 7400 block of N. Hoyne. The resident called 311 and Animal Care and Control was dispatched to remove the bat.
The bat was dead upon arrival at Animal Care & Control headquarters and according to standard procedures was sent to a laboratory to be tested for rabies. Late yesterday they received the results. The test came back positive for rabies. Animal Care and Control today notified Cook County Animal Control, the Department of Public Health, my office and, via flyers, the community in the vicinity of the site where the bat was found.
This is the 6th case of rabies found in a bat in Cook County in the last two weeks. While it is not uncommon for rabies to be found in wild animals, particularly in the summer months, we should all take appropriate precautions.
Public health officials advise us to make certain our pets are vaccinated for rabies and that the public at large and our children in particular are instructed to never handle dead animals.
Should you encounter a live, injured or confined bat or other wild animal, or any dead animal, do not touch it. Please call 311 for assistance and/or instructions on how to dispose of the animal safely.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact my Ward Service Office. Below please find the text of the public notice.
Sincerely,
Joe Moore
To: Chicago Residents
From: City of Chicago Animal Care and Control
Date: August 16, 2007
RE: Rabid Bat
On Monday, August 13, 2007 a bat was found in the vicinity of 7400 N. Hoyne. It was submitted for rabies examination and determined to be rabid by the Illinois State Pulic Health Laboratory.
All residents should keep their dogs, cats and ferrets on a leash when out of their homes. If the dog, cat or ferret does not have a current rabies vaccination, please see a licensed veterinarian immediately to have the pet inoculated with the rabies vaccine.
You are advised not to handle any bats or wild animals. If any bats are found, call the City of Chicago at 311 and they will inform the Chicago Department of Animal Care and Control and the Cook County Department of Animal Control.
