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 treatment in both Kentucky and Ohio. The source of the rabies infection remains unidentified and may have occurred during international travel.
Kentucky Department of Public Health (KDPH) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Stack emphasized the seriousness of the disease.
“Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain,” Stack said. “Unfortunately, rabies is usually fatal if left untreated. Rabies treatment, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), is nearly 100% effective in preventing rabies, so if you suspect exposure to rabies, It is important to seek immediate medical attention.”
KDPH is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Northern Kentucky Health Department, and Ohio Department of Health to investigate this incident. Although human-to-human transmission of rabies is rare, health officials are taking precautions to assess and treat individuals who may have come into contact with the deceased.
Rabies is usually transmitted through bites or scratches from an infected animal, or through contact with infected saliva or mucus. To minimize the risk of infection, authorities recommend vaccinating pets and avoiding contact with wild animals. In Kentucky, the most common carriers of rabies are bats and skunks, but any mammal can be infected.
Health authorities urge anyone who suspects they have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal to seek immediate medical attention, especially those who exhibit unusual behavior. Rabies infections in humans are extremely rare in the United States, thanks to routine pet vaccinations and wildlife control efforts.
