CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Health officials in Kentucky have reported the state’s first human death from rabies since 1996.
The victim, a resident of Northern Kentucky, succumbed to the disease after receiving medical treatment in both Kentucky and Ohio. The source of the rabies exposure remains unidentified and may have occurred during international travel.
Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), emphasized the severity of the disease.
“Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain,” said Stack. “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.”
The KDPH is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Northern Kentucky Health Department, and the Ohio Department of Health to investigate the case. Although human-to-human transmission of rabies is rare, health officials are taking precautions to assess and treat individuals who may have been in contact with the deceased.
Rabies is typically transmitted through bites and scratches from infected animals or through contact with infected saliva or mucus. To minimize the risk of exposure, officials advise keeping pets vaccinated and avoiding contact with wild animals. In Kentucky, bats and skunks are the most common carriers of rabies, though any mammal can be infected.
Health officials urge anyone who suspects they have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, especially those exhibiting unusual behavior, to seek medical attention immediately. Thanks to routine pet vaccinations and wildlife control efforts, rabies infections in humans are exceedingly rare in the United States.
