A bat found in the 800 block of Elder Road in Homewood on Monday, Sept. 16, was sent to the Illinois State Public Health Laboratory, which determined it was rabid.
The Village of Homewood posted on its Facebook page Thursday, Sept. 18, a notice from the lab verifying its findings.
In the notice, Cook County Department of Administration Administrator Dr. Mamadou Diakhate warned residents to avoid handling bats, skunks or other wild animals and to keep pets on a leash when outdoors. All unvaccinated pets should immediately receive a rabies vaccination, Diakhate said.
Village officials urged residents who encounter dead or injured wildlife, whether on private or public property, to call Cook County Animal Control at 708-974-6140.