Community Corner

Rabid Bats and West Nile Virus: Are You Afraid to Go Outdoors?

Cook County's first confirmed West Nile virus case of 2013 in Oak Lawn comes on the heels of a rash of reports of rabid bats in Tinley Park, Mokena and Evergreen Park. Are you taking more precautions when you're outside because of this?

Bats and mosquitos are creatures that have sketchy reputations among humans, to say the least. 

But when those animals are found to be carrying nasty viruses, people go from being uneasy around them to downright fearful. 

READ: Rabid Bat Found South of Dunne Golf Course in Tinley Park

In the past week, there have been at least three confirmed reports of rabid bats in the following south suburbs:

On Wednesday, the Cook County Department of Public Health announced reported that an Oak Lawn man in his 50s was infected with West Nile virus last month. The man is recovering, and the village plans to spray its Fall On the Green festival area as a response.

And on Thursday, Will County health officials confirmed that mosquitoes caught earlier this month in Plainfield carried the West Nile virus.

READ: Oak Lawn Man is 1st Cook County Case of West Nile Virus in 2013

Patch will continue to map the reported cases throughout the south suburbs. But what should you do to keep you, your family and your pets disease-free? Here some tips for both cases:

 
If you are bitten by or exposed to a bat, you should contact your doctor immediately, according to the county's animal control department. That agency also should be contacted if you find down or dead bats or skunks in the area. The phone number for Cook County animal control is 708-974-6140. Will County Animal Control can be contacted at at 815-462-5633.

YOUR TURN: Has the recent reports of rabid bats and West Nile virus caused you any worries? Or do you think concerns are overblown as long as you're a sensible person? Share your thoughts in the comments section.


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