Minnesota Reports Rare Human Death From Rabies

Minneapolis — A Minnesota person who came into touch with a bat in July died from rabies, the state’s health agency revealed Friday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than ten people die from rabies in the United States each year, making this a rare occurrence. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the person is over 65 years old and was exposed to a bat in western Minnesota in July.

Minnesota Reports Rare Human Death From the disease

On September 20, CDC officials verified the rabies diagnosis at their Atlanta laboratory. In a news statement, the state health department said it was working to determine whether more persons were exposed to the disease, but that there was no ongoing risk to the public.

Officials said the deadly case reminded the public to avoid contact with bats, whose teeth are so little that a bite may not be felt or leave a visible mark.

It is caused by a virus that infects the central nervous system and is typically lethal in both animals and humans. If not treated, it is almost invariably fatal. However, state health officials reported that rabies therapy has proven to be virtually 100% successful in preventing the disease following an exposure. They emphasised that treatment must begin before rabies symptoms show.

Dr Stacy Holzbauer, the state’s public health veterinarian, also encouraged people to vaccinate their domestic pets and animals against rabies.

The number of rabies-related human deaths in the United States has dropped from more than 100 per year in the early 1900s to less than five in recent years, according to the health department. Bat exposure accounts for around 70% of all illnesses acquired in the country.

SOURCE | AP