The well-known Salt Shed music venue recently hosted an outdoor performance, and the Chicago Department of Public Health has issued a warning that patrons may have come into contact with bats that carry the rabies virus.
The “possible” exposure, according to the CDPH, happened on September 12 between 5 and 10 p.m. during the outdoor Goose performance at the location, 1357 N. Elston Ave.
In a press statement, the CDPH stated that while not all bats in the Chicago region are rabies carriers, some have been determined to be.
The announcement stated, “If you were at the concert and a bat bit or scratched you, or if you had direct contact with a bat, get in touch with a healthcare provider right away to talk about rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).”
Health experts state that everyone who attended the performance and could have been bitten or scratched by a bat, or if the bat had direct contact with exposed skin, is at risk of exposure.
The CDPH said that because of the mammal’s tiny teeth, bites from bats may not always be felt or seen, and they may leave behind signs that are difficult to identify.
According to the CPDH, there was no need for alarm provided concertgoers did not come into touch with a bat.
According to the press release, “there are no further actions that you need to take if you attended the concert but did not have contact with a bat.” “You are not at risk for rabies if a bat is flying overhead.”
According to health professionals, rabies is a disease that affects the neurological systems of both humans and other creatures.
“People get rabies from the bite of an animal infected with the rabies virus (a rabid animal). Human rabies is virtually invariably lethal, according to CDPH. “Therefore, it is critical to provide prompt and appropriate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after bat exposures take place.”
When NBC Chicago reached out for comment, The Salt Shed did not get back to them right away.
