Chicago Confirms First Rabies-Positive Dog in Decades, 13 People Exposed
A dog living in a Chicago household has tested positive for rabies, the first such case in Cook County since before 1964 and the first in Illinois since 1994. Thirteen people are receiving post-exposure treatment.
A dog in Chicago has tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in Cook County in more than 60 years and sparking an urgent public health response.
The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control confirmed Friday that the dog, which lived in a Chicago household, began showing behavioral changes earlier this week before being euthanized and tested. Results came back positive for the rabies virus, prompting health officials to trace all individuals who may have had contact with the animal.
Thirteen people known to have had direct contact with the dog have begun post-exposure prophylaxis treatment, a series of injections that can prevent the development of rabies if administered promptly after exposure. As of Friday evening, none of the exposed individuals were showing symptoms.
“This is a serious situation, but it’s manageable,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but post-exposure treatment is highly effective when given in time.”
A Historic First
The case represents the first rabies-positive dog identified in Cook County since before 1964, according to county records. It is also the first confirmed case of canine rabies in Illinois since 1994, when a dog in a downstate county tested positive.
Rabies has become exceedingly rare in the United States thanks to widespread vaccination of domestic animals, which has been required by law in Illinois since the 1950s. Most human rabies cases in the country now result from contact with bats rather than dogs.
“This is a reminder that rabies hasn’t disappeared,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, senior medical officer at the Cook County Department of Public Health. “Pet owners need to keep their animals’ vaccinations current. It’s the law, and it protects both your pets and your family.”
How the Dog Became Infected
Health officials are still investigating how the dog contracted rabies but believe it may have had contact with a rabid wild animal, most likely a bat. Bats are the most common source of rabies exposure in Illinois and can transmit the virus through bites so small they may go unnoticed.
The dog’s vaccination status is under investigation. Illinois law requires all dogs and cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies, but compliance varies, particularly among animals that spend time outdoors.
“We’re working to reconstruct the animal’s movements over the past several weeks,” said Dan Parmer, administrator of Cook County Animal and Rabies Control. “If there are other animals or people who may have been exposed, we want to find them.”
Symptoms to Watch For
Rabies in dogs can manifest in several ways, but the most common early signs include changes in behavior—a normally friendly dog becoming aggressive, or a normally active dog becoming lethargic. As the disease progresses, animals may experience difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, and paralysis.
Human rabies symptoms typically begin with fever and headache, progressing to anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations. Once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. However, the incubation period can last weeks to months, giving exposed individuals time to receive preventive treatment.
What Residents Should Do
Health officials urged Chicago residents to take several precautions:
- Ensure all dogs and cats are current on rabies vaccinations
- Avoid contact with wild animals, especially bats, raccoons, and skunks
- Report any animal bites to local health authorities immediately
- Contact animal control if you observe wildlife behaving strangely
- Do not attempt to capture or handle bats found inside homes
Anyone who believes they may have had contact with the infected dog or other potentially rabid animals should contact the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control at 708-974-6140 or the Chicago Department of Public Health.
A Manageable Crisis
Despite the alarming nature of the discovery, health officials emphasized that the situation is under control. All known contacts have been identified and are receiving treatment. The dog did not have contact with other animals in shelter or boarding facilities, limiting the potential for spread.
“We have excellent surveillance systems and rapid response capabilities,” Dr. Arwady said. “This case shows those systems working exactly as they should.”
The last human death from rabies in Illinois occurred in 1954. Nationwide, only one to three people die from rabies each year, almost always after failing to seek medical attention following exposure.
Rabies vaccination clinics for pets are available throughout Cook County. A list of low-cost vaccination locations can be found at the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control website.