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A Norwegian woman died of rabies after playing with an infected puppy that she had tried to save on vacation, according to press reports.
The 24-year-old woman, Birgitte Kallestad, was traveling to the Philippines with friends in February when they found the puppy by the roadside, according to the Washington Post. Kallestad brought the puppy back to the resort, where she washed and played with it.
Kallestad has received some "small scratches" from the animal, said her family, and she washed these nicks without seeking medical treatment, the BBC reported.
But it is only when Kallestad is back in Norway that she begins to experience symptoms and goes to the emergency several times. At that time, some time had passed since his trip to the Philippines and doctors were struggling to diagnose his illness. It was only Saturday (May 4th) that officials confirmed that she was suffering from rabies, reported Fox News. Kallestad passed away on Monday, May 6th. [The 9 Deadliest Viruses on Earth]
It's the first rabies-related death in Norway for over 200 years, according to the BBC.
"Our dear Birgitte loved animals … we fear that it happens to others who have a heart so hot like her," said his family in a statement, according to the BBC.
Rabies is a viral disease most commonly transmitted by the bite of an infected animal, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Early signs of the illness include flu-like symptoms, such as general weakness, fever, and headaches, followed by more severe symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, and insomnia.
There is a rabies vaccine, but to be effective, it must be given before the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, once a person starts to show symptoms of rabies, there is no effective treatment and the disease is almost always fatal, according to the CDC.
According to the CDC, rabies remains endemic in more than 120 countries, mainly in areas where public health resources are insufficient and where access to preventive treatment is limited.
In January, the CDC reported the case of a Virginia woman who died of rabies after being bitten by a puppy during a retreat in India.
Originally published on Science live.
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