Health Officials Warn Concertgoers of Potential Rabies Exposure
Concertgoers may have been exposed to rabid bats at an outdoor concert at the Salt Shed last month, health officials said.
The Chicago Department of Public Health issued a warning Friday and said people who attended the Goose concert at the Salt Shed between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on September 12 could have been exposed to bats with rabies.
Health officials advised, “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.”
A spokesperson for the Salt Shed stated that the venue has not received reports of attendees infected with rabies. “The Salt Shed is monitoring the situation closely. The health and safety of our guests is, as ever, our top priority. We have medical personnel on site for every event, and to date, we have received no reports from attendees of any bat sightings or infections.”
Health officials noted that bats in Chicago and surrounding areas have been found to carry rabies, although not all bats are infected.
If infected by rabies, the virus affects the nervous system and can be fatal without appropriate treatment, officials warned. However, if attendees did not have contact with a bat, no action is required.
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