Rabid bat found in Macoupin County, Ill.

CARLINVILLE, Ill. -- A bat found in northern Macoupin County recently tested positive for rabies, and county authorities are encouraging the public to keep pet vaccinations up-to-date and alert authorities if they see an animal they think could be rabid.

The bat apparently was killed by a pet cat whose owner found it sitting next to the bat on a sidewalk.

While the cat is not expected to develop rabies, it is under a 30-day quarantine at a veterinary clinic.

Melaney Edwards, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said that as of the middle of July, Illinois had reported 32 cases of rabid animals this year. All the cases involved bats.

State officials said the number of reports of rabid bats increased in 2007, but aren't sure why.