Two bats recently submitted for rabies testing by Lake County Animal Care and Control have tested positive for rabies:

• The first bat was collected in Libertyville on August 23.
• The second bat was collected in Gurnee on September 21.

A very small percentage of bats test positive for rabies. In 2017, only 2 percent of bats submitted for testing in Illinois tested positive for rabies. Bats are generally not a threat and are highly beneficial animals as they feed exclusively on insects.

Lake County residents are reminded to not pick up or touch bats. Contact Animal Care and Control immediately at (847) 377-4700 if a bat is found within your home or if a member of your family, including your pets, have had contact with a bat.