Sixth wildlife rabies case confirmed in Will County
August 2, 2012 11:24AM
Updated: September 6, 2012 6:14AM
JOLIET — A dead bat found on the garage floor in Manhattan has become Will County’s sixth confirmed case of wildlife rabies for 2012.
The bat was found July 30 on Diane Way, and Will County Animal Control immediately dispatched it to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Chicago laboratory complex for analysis. Confirmation of the presence of the rabies virus was received July 31.
This case marks Manhattan’s second wildlife rabies confirmation this summer. A dead bat found in a swimming pool on Wellingford was confirmed rabid July 2.
No human or animal exposures were identified.
No human exposures resulted from the Diane Way incident, but animal control is investigating to determine whether two cats living on the property came in contact with the rabid animal.
Rabies is a deadly virus which can be transmitted to humans from the bite or scratch of an infected warm-blooded animal.
