Kentucky health officials have reported the state’s first human death from rabies since 1996. The person, from Northern Kentucky, passed away after receiving medical treatment in both Kentucky and Ohio. The source of the rabies infection is still unknown, but it may have happened during international travel.
Dr. Steven Stack, the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, stressed the seriousness of rabies. He explained that rabies is a rare but dangerous disease that affects the brain. Without treatment, rabies is usually fatal. He urged that if someone is exposed to rabies, getting medical care right away is crucial, as treatment known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is nearly always effective in preventing the disease.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is working with the CDC, the Northern Kentucky Health Department, and the Ohio Department of Health to investigate the case. While human-to-human transmission of rabies is rare, health officials are taking steps to assess and treat anyone who may have come into contact with the victim.
Rabies is usually spread through bites or scratches from infected animals or contact with their saliva. To reduce the risk, officials recommend keeping pets vaccinated and avoiding contact with wild animals. In Kentucky, bats and skunks are common carriers of rabies, but any mammal can be infected.