Media Contact:
McHenry County Department of Health
Nick Kubiak, Public Information Officer
MCDH confirms first rabid bat of 2026 season; human exposure reported
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has confirmed the first rabies-positive bat with human exposure in the 2026 season. A resident found the bat in their McHenry County home. MCDH’s Veterinary Public Health division (McHenry County Animal Control) collected the bat and submitted it for laboratory testing. The resident received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), the recommended treatment following an exposure.
MCDH is sharing this information to remind residents how to prevent exposure and what to do if they encounter a bat.
Bats play an important role in the northern Illinois ecosystem and are most active from late spring through summer. A single bat can consume hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes and other insects each night, making them effective natural pest controllers. Bats roosting outdoors in trees, barns, or bat houses are behaving normally and should be left undisturbed.
Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease when prompt medical care is received. Not all bats carry rabies; however, bats that are active during the day, found in unusual locations such as inside homes, or unable to fly may be sick and should be treated as a potential risk. Bite and scratch wounds from bats can be extremely small and may go unnoticed.
Residents should ensure pets’ rabies vaccinations are current, as vaccinated pets provide an important layer of protection for households.
Residents are encouraged to avoid direct contact with bats and take proactive steps to bat-proof their homes. Because bats can enter through openings as small as 3/8 of an inch, prevention includes sealing cracks and gaps around utility lines, ensuring doors, windows, and vents have secure, hole-free screens, and capping chimneys.
Residents should also avoid attracting wildlife with open garbage or litter and should not bring wild animals into the home or attempt to care for sick wildlife. Instead, contact McHenry County Animal Control for assistance.
Residents experiencing recurring bat issues may contact an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)-licensed
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO)
for assistance identifying entry points and safely excluding bats from structures. Under the Illinois Wildlife Code, permanent exclusion of bats from attics, barns, and other non-livable areas may only occur during certain times of year to protect roosting bats and their pups.
If you encounter a bat inside your home, do not touch it with your bare hands. Follow these steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets:
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Confine the bat. Close the door to the room and seal any gap at the base with a towel. If the bat is in an open area, place an upside-down bucket or container over it if possible.
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Call McHenry County Animal Control immediately. Call
(815) 459-6222
to arrange collection and potential rabies testing of the bat. Questions regarding exposure risk can be directed to the MCDH Communicable Disease Program at
(815) 334-4500.
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Preserve the bat for testing. For rabies testing to be possible, the bat must be in good condition (head intact) and either alive or recently deceased. Do not freeze the bat or damage its head.
To learn more about rabies prevention, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s
rabies webpage
.
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