Chicago health officials warn of possible bat exposure at recent Salt Shed concert
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Department of Public Health warned Friday that people who attended one specific concert at the Salt Shed last month may have been exposed to a bat.
The concert by Goose was held on Thursday, Sept. 12, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.
The Department of Public Health did not provide specifics about the bat or bats that were inside the concert venue at the time. But the department did warn that bats can sometimes carry rabies.
Rabies is an especially serious concern for anyone who was bitten or scratched by a bat, or who had physical contact with a bat on their bare skin where a bite or scratch can't be ruled out. The department emphasized that bats have very small teeth, so a bite from a bat may not be felt or leave easily-detectable marks.
Anyone who attended the concert and was bitten or scratched by a bat, or had direct contact with a bat, should contact a health care provider as soon as possible to discuss post-rabies exposure prophylaxis. This would involve a dose of human rabies immune globulin, and four doses of vaccine.
Only people who had contact with a bat have reason to be concerned. A bat flying overhead cannot give anyone rabies.
Further information on rabies can be found at the Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites.