A Northern Kentucky resident has died after being exposed to rabies, the Kentucky Department of Public Health said Friday.Health officials did not release the name or location of the person who died but said their rabies exposure may have come from outside the United States.An investigation into the source of the person’s rabies exposure is ongoing.The Kentucky Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Northern Kentucky Health Department and Ohio Department of Health are investigating the case.“Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain,” KDPH Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said. “Unfortunately, if left untreated rabies is usually fatal. Immediate medical care after a suspected exposure to rabies is critical, as rabies treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is nearly 100% effective at preventing rabies.”According to data from the CDC, fewer than 10 human deaths from rabies are reported in the US each year. That same data shows about 4,000 animal rabies cases each year, with most cases involving bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.Health officials said human to human transmission of rabies is rare, but the KDPH is working with people who may have been in contact with the person who died to ensure they receive the necessary treatment, if needed.KDPH said the last rabies infection in a Kentucky resident was reported in 1996.
A Northern Kentucky resident has died after being exposed to rabies, the Kentucky Department of Public Health said Friday.
Health officials did not release the name or location of the person who died but said their rabies exposure may have come from outside the United States.
An investigation into the source of the person’s rabies exposure is ongoing.
The Kentucky Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Northern Kentucky Health Department and Ohio Department of Health are investigating the case.
“Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain,” KDPH Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said. “Unfortunately, if left untreated rabies is usually fatal. Immediate medical care after a suspected exposure to rabies is critical, as rabies treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is nearly 100% effective at preventing rabies.”
According to data from the CDC, fewer than 10 human deaths from rabies are reported in the US each year.
That same data shows about 4,000 animal rabies cases each year, with most cases involving bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.
Health officials said human to human transmission of rabies is rare, but the KDPH is working with people who may have been in contact with the person who died to ensure they receive the necessary treatment, if needed.
KDPH said the last rabies infection in a Kentucky resident was reported in 1996.
