A bat found in the obstetrics unit at Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights, Ill., has tested positive for rabies, according to an article on The Chicago Tribune website.
Two bats found earlier this month were tested and the obstetrics unit was closed, a spokeswoman for the Health Department, said. As a precaution, vaccines intended to prevent rabies are being administered to people who may have been exposed to the bats.
Although there was apparently no human contact with the bats, the Health Department has "established protocols" for reducing the risk of rabies possibly being transmitted. The OB unit remains closed.
The obstetrics patients have been moved to another unit in the hospital.
CRAB Alert: The EVS Role in Preventing Infection
Why Hospital Waiting Rooms Aren't Going Away
Ground Broken on Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Hospital
Design, Compartmentation, Training: How Defend-in-Place Strategies Can Protect Patients
Milestone Marked with Topping Out Ceremony for BayCare Hospital Manatee