A fatal case of rabies in Utah was probably transmitted by a bat

A resident of Utah passed away rageand health officials believe that exposure to a bat was the source of the infection. This is the first person in Utah to die of rabies since 1944, according to the state's Department of Health. The name of the person and other details were not disclosed.

Rabies is a viral disease in mammals that infects the central nervous system. If left untreated, it attacks the brain and eventually causes death.

The incidence of rabies has dropped significantly in the United States over the past 100 years, but the threat still exists.

In fact, earlier this year, a 6-year-old boy from Florida died of rabies after being scratched by an infected bat. The boy's father carefully washed the wound, but did not take him to the hospital because he cried when he was informed that he would be shot and wounded. , according to local information. The child developed symptoms a week later and died soon.

A few months later, a coyote who tested positive for rabies caught 8 people in the suburb of Westchester, NY, before being shot by police. All those who had been exposed in this case received preventive treatment, thus avoiding all deaths.

The majority of rabies reported to CDC each year occurs in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.

In Utah, authorities say people and animals are most likely to be in contact with rabies after being exposed to bats.

"If you are near a bat, dead or alive, do not touch it, kill it or kill it," said Dallin Peterson, an epidemiologist at the Ministry of Health. Utah, in a statement.

Because the teeth and claws of animals are so small, a bite or scratch may not even be noticed. This can be particularly worrying if a bat has entered your room while you sleep.

"If you have woken up and seen a bat in your room, you should assume that you have been bitten in your sleep, even if you have not felt it or if you do not see the trace of it. A bite and go to the local emergency room, "Noreen Hynes, MD, director of Johns Hopkins' geographic medicine center of infectious diseases division, told CBS News.

Symptoms of rabies

Experts stress the importance of immediately seeking treatment, because as soon as symptoms appear, it is already too late. Fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort are the first symptoms of rabies. There may also be a tingling or itching sensation in the area of ​​the bite.

More specific symptoms will begin to appear as the disease progresses, including: insomniaanxiety, confusion and agitation. Partial paralysis may occur and the person may have hallucinations and delirium. Other symptoms include increased saliva, difficulty swallowing and hydrophobia (fear of water) due to difficulty swallowing.

Death usually occurs a few days after the onset of symptoms.

"Once there is only one symptom of rabies, it's no longer possible to treat it," Hynes said.

Rabies treatment

The good news is that death by rabies is 100% preventable.

The first thing to do in the event of a bite or scratch is to wash the wound well with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection, says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consult your doctor if you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal or any other animal if you do not know whether he was vaccinated or not. Your doctor, possibly in consultation with national or local health authorities, will decide if you need rabies vaccines.

The vaccine – administered in a series of vaccines called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) – prevents the development of the symptoms of rabies. Health officials say the current treatment is much less painful than in the past.

Each year, about 40,000 people in the country receive rabies prevention treatment, according to the Utah Department of Health, after a bite or scratch caused by a pet, such as an animal. dog or cat, whose vaccination status was unknown.

Deaths from rabies are rare in the United States, with only one or two deaths each year. Statistics are different in less developed countries, where more than 55,000 people die each year from the disease, mainly in Africa and Asia.

Reduce the risk of rabies

Managers recommend following these guidelines to reduce your risk of contracting rabies:

• Make sure your pets' rabies vaccines are up to date.

• Keep your pets indoors and watch for them when they are outside. This will prevent your animals from coming into contact with wild animals that may spread rabies.

• Report stray animals to local authorities.

• Do not approach wild animals.

• In pets, look for signs of rabies, including behavioral changes, general illness, difficulty swallowing, increased saliva or saliva, and bite if you are excited.

• If you travel to a country where rabies is common and you stay there for a long time, ask your doctor if you should get the rabies vaccine before you travel.

• Act if you are bitten. Immediately thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water and see a health care provider.