Boise County man dies of rabies; Idaho’s first death from virus in 43 years

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BOISE – An Idaho man who health officials said did not know he had been bitten or scratched by a bat in late August died of rabies last month, reports said Thursday. responsible.

It is the first human death from rabies since 1978, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Central District Health.

“This tragic case shows how important it is for the people of Idaho to be aware of the risk of exposure to rabies,” said Dr Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist of Idaho, in a statement. . “Although deaths are rare, it is essential that people exposed to a bat receive appropriate treatment to prevent the onset of rabies as soon as possible.”

Agencies report that a man from Boise County, whose name and age have not been released, encountered a bat at his home in late August. The bat flew close to him and got stuck in his clothes, but the man did not know he had been bitten or scratched. Boise County is about a 1.5-hour drive from the town of Boise, which is the state capital and seat of Ada County.

Then, in October, the man fell ill and was hospitalized in the Boise area before he died. Officials said they learned of the bat incident when they investigated its death. They said they have since been in contact with the man’s family, those who treated him and anyone else who may be exposed to the virus.

Health officials in Idaho – and Utah – have pointed out that rabies has the highest death rate of any disease; however, human deaths from rabies are extremely rare. In 2018, a 55-year-old man from Moroni was the first rabies death in Utah since 1944. This case, three years ago, also involved bats.

“Once a person begins to show signs of the disease, there is no effective treatment and rabies is almost always fatal,” said Hannah Rettler, disease epidemiologist with the Department of Health. Utah, in a Sept. 24 statement, after a couple of pets arrived. in contact with wild animals carrying rabies in the St. George area earlier this year.

“This is why it’s so important to work with your animal control officers, officials (from the Utah Wildlife Division), and local health departments to determine if you need a vaccine against. rabies after exposure, ”she added. “It’s a life-saving treatment and it’s why human cases of rabies have declined so dramatically over the past 100 years.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of rabies include: fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, fear of attempts to drink fluids due to difficulty swallowing water, fear of air blown on the face, hallucinations, insomnia and partial paralysis.

Idaho health officials say exposure to rabies is much more common. They say about 60,000 Americans receive a series of post-exposure vaccinations each year.

Utah Division of Wildlife officials say bats are the most common vector of rabies in Utah. Bats represent all but two of the 96 confirmed cases of rabies in wildlife in Utah since 2016. As of September, there were also 59 cases of humans exposed to the virus in the past five years, with one death .

Idaho health officials say 14 bats have tested positive for rabies in their condition this year alone. About 11% of the 159 bats tested in Gem state last year were also carriers of the virus.

If anyone in Utah comes into contact with an animal that may have rabies, the agency recommends that you “immediately call” your local animal control or DWR office so they can capture the animal. for a rabies test. If the incident occurs over a weekend, they encourage you to call a non-emergency number for your local police dispatch, who can contact DWR employees.

If the animal cannot be tested, they say it should be assumed that the person who came in contact with the creature was exposed to the virus.

“Immediately visit the Utah Department of Health website to find the nearest location to receive the rabies vaccine (post-exposure prophylaxis),” agency officials wrote in a statement. “Contact your local health department with any questions and to report the incident.”

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