A bat found in a rural Knox County home has tested positive for rabies, marking the first human exposures to the virus in the county this year, according to the Knox County Health Department.
The bat was discovered on Tuesday, Oct. 21, and four individuals who were exposed are now receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), the standard treatment to prevent the deadly virus.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that 44 bats across 20 counties have tested positive for rabies in 2025. Rabies, a fatal but preventable virus, can be transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals, often so small they go unnoticed. The KCHD is urging residents to take precautions if they encounter a bat in their home.
Health officials recommend confining a bat to an enclosed room by closing doors and sealing gaps with a towel or tape. If the bat is in a main living area and potential exposure to people or pets has occurred, residents should attempt to safely contain it, such as by placing a bucket over it, and contact the KCHD immediately at (309) 344-2224 to arrange for collection and testing.
To reduce the risk of rabies exposure, the KCHD advises residents to avoid contact with bats and wild animals, ensure pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date, and bat-proof homes. “Any direct contact with a bat should be treated as a potential exposure, even without a visible bite or scratch,” said Erin Olson, KCHD Public Information Officer.
The department also shared key tips to protect against rabies:
- Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals or stray dogs or cats.
- Teach children to report any animal bites or scratches immediately and avoid unfamiliar animals.
- Report all animal bites to local animal control.
For more information on rabies prevention, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website or contact the Knox County Health Department at (309)344-2224.
