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May 16, 2008 10:15 pm US/Central

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Rabid Bat Warning Has Lake Co. Residents On Alert

Reporting
Mai Martinez

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) ― A bat found Sunday in far north suburban Lake Villa tested positive for rabies, and there is a warning out now in Lake County about the dangers of rabid bats.

CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports Lake County Health officials say this is the time of year when reports of rabid bats start coming in.

Last year, the first was found on May 10. This year it was May 11.

People living in Lake county were out and about enjoying the weather Friday, but county health officials say they're not the only ones. Bats also seem to like the spring and summer months, and because of that, health officials are asking people to be aware of bats acting strangely, which could be an sign that a bat has rabies.

"People should look out for bats that are flying around during the daytime, bats that are on the ground. That's very unusual behavior for bats," said Mike Adam of the Lake County Health Dept.

Last year, nine bats tested positive for rabies in Lake County. Only one has been found so far this year.

But some Lake County residents say that's one too many for comfort with so many children and pets running around.

"Sometimes babies, little 1-year-olds they'll see something like that, and they'll try to go toward it," said Lake County resident Jacqueline Mims.

"It does concern me, because I do take my dog on long walks, and there's a lot of forestry some of the places I take him, and now we're going to have to be extra careful," said area resident Darlene Benigno.

Health officials says bats aren't all bad. After all, they do eat insects and mosquitoes, as well as crop-destroying pests like moths, locusts and grasshoppers.

Still, some Lake County residents will need a little more convincing that bats aren't all dangerous.

Twelve-year-old Angelica Benigno is already planning her escape in case she sees one.

"I would probably run away really fast with my dog," she said.

Lake County health officials say if you see a bat behaving strangely, you should call police or animal control.

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"People should look out for bats that are flying around during the daytime, bats that are on the ground. That's very unusual behavior for bats," said Mike Adam.