Three rabid bats have been reported in Cook and DuPage counties in the last week, adding to the growing number of rabid bats found over the last several weeks in Chicago and the suburbs.

One of the recently discovered bats was found in a basement at a home in DuPage County. The family who lives in the home, who did not want to be named, said the bat was flying around the house for a day before they were able to catch it.

"I captured him, put him in a tupperware container, sealed it up, put some holes in it," said the husband and father of two.

The whole family — including the couple's 18- and 21-year-old sons and the family cat — all have to undergo multiple rounds of rabies shots over the course of an entire month as a precaution. None of them could see any bites on themselves, but they decided not to take a chance because rabies is usually fatal if left untreated.

This year alone, DuPage County reported finding 16 rabid bats, including six in just the last two weeks. In suburban Cook County, 13 rabid bats have been reported, which is a typical number for the year, according to animal control officials.

Chicago has seen six rabid bats since late August, including two spotted last week on the North Side.

"This time of year, late summer, early fall, is when we tend to see high activity for bat exposures because bats are migrating," said Cort Lohff, medical director of the Chicago Health Department.

On Monday, Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th Ward) warned residents in Lincoln Square of a rabid bat found in the North Side neighborhood.

The bat was found in the 2700 block of West Carmen Avenue on Sept. 10, according to Ald. O'Connor. When it was caught, the bat was submitted for a rabies examination at the Illinois State Public Health Laboratory, and the results came back positive.

Ald. O'Connor warned residents to keep their dogs, cats and ferrets on a leash when outside and encouraged them to check that their pets are up to date with their rabies vaccinations.

Last week, another rabid bat was reported in the 1600 block of Chase in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

If any more bats are found, residents should try to seal them off in a room and then report it to their local Department of Animal Care and Control. In Chicago, residents can report them by calling 311.

As an added precaution, officials say advise against any unnecessary contact with bats.