Bat Rabies Prevention and Education Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Vectors for transmission of rabies vary regionally in the United States. In Illinois the primary vectors for transmission of rabies to humans are bats. Unfortunately, while most individuals are wary of other wildlife such as skunks or raccoons, many people did not recognize the potential life-threatening risks associated with exposure to bats. The McHenry County Department of Health developed a comprehensive two part program to address the many concerns associated with the potential transmission of rabies to humans through exposure to bats consisting of the establishment of an extensive and thorough set of procedures which ensure the efficient and complete multi-divisional department response to potential exposures to bats. This is coupled with an aggressive and creative education program targeting children, students, the general public, managers of public buildings and the medical community. The objective is to educate all McHenry County residents how to prevent exposure to bats, to recognize the potential life-threatening implications of exposure to bats, and to know the process for reporting potential human exposures. The program has proved to be very successful. From 2008 – 2010 the Illinois Department of Public Health has identified the highest number of rabies positive bats from McHenry County. In that time, 152 individuals received post exposure prophylaxis for rabies.