Chicago — The Chicago Department of Public Health warned that guests of a recent outdoor concert at the famed Salt Shed music venue could have been exposed to rabies-carrying bats.
According to the CDPH, the “possible” exposure occurred between 5 and 10 p.m. on September 12 during the outdoor Goose event at the venue, situated as 1357 N. Elston Ave.
The CDPH stated in a release that bats in and around Chicago have been found to carry rabies, albeit not all of them do.
“If you attended the concert and were bitten or scratched by a bat, or if you had direct contact with a bat, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP),” according to the announcement.
According to health officials, the exposure concerns apply to everyone who attended the performance and may have been bitten or scratched by a bat, or if the bat came into physical contact with bare skin.
However, due to the mammal’s small teeth, bat bites can be difficult to detect, according to the CDPH.
The CPDH stated that if attendees did not come into contact with a bat during the event, there was no reason to worry.
“If you attended the concert but did not have contact with a bat, then there are no further actions that you need to take,” according to the announcement. “A bat flying above you is not a risk for rabies.”
Rabies is a disease that infects the nerve systems of humans and other creatures, according to health officials.
“People contract rabies when they are bitten by an animal infected with the rabies virus. Rabies in humans is virtually usually lethal, according to the CDPH. “Therefore, it is critical to provide prompt and appropriate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after bat exposures take place.”
The Salt Shed did not immediately reply to an NBC Chicago request for comment.
