chicago – There was a possible rabies exposure incident at an outdoor music venue in Chicago last month.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned people who attended a Goose concert at the Salt Shed on September 12 of possible exposure to rabies in bats.
Bats in and around Chicago have been found to carry rabies, although not all bats carry rabies.
Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a bat, or has had direct contact with a bat, should seek medical attention immediately to discuss rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). It is important to note that bat bites can be very small and may not be felt.
For those who attended the party but did not have contact with bats, no further action is needed, according to health officials.
Rabies is a fatal disease caused by the rabies virus that affects the nervous system. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. CDPH said subsequent and appropriate prophylactic treatment is necessary after exposure to bats to prevent infection.
For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Health or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites.
