Shocking: Minnesota Resident Dies of Rabies in Rare Incident

The Minnesota Department of Health announced Friday that a state resident who was exposed to rabies has passed away.

The individual, reported to be over 65 years of age, came into contact with a rabies-carrying bat in western Minnesota in July. The diagnosis of rabies was confirmed by the CDC in September, reports the Associated Press.

Death from the rabies virus in the United States is very rare, with fewer than ten fatalities annually, according to the CDC. A century ago, upwards of one hundred people would die of rabies per year. Rabies is effectively untreatable once symptoms begin and is considered almost always fatal.

70% of rabies cases in the United States are the result of contact with rabies-carrying bats. Bats have very small teeth, so bites may not be obvious. Some species of bats have a resistance to rabies, allowing them to spread the virus without displaying any symptoms themselves.

Rabies can be prevented. As long as treatment is given before symptoms appear, the patient has a very good chance of survival. Animals that people are most likely to come into contact with, such as pets or livestock, can be vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies can be transmitted via bite or scratch from an infected animal. People who have been bitten or scratched by unknown animals are advised to seek treatment immediately. Treatment is not required in every case; a physician can determine whether or not it is.

Thoroughly washing a wound with soap and water will help to prevent the rabies virus from infecting an injured person.

An animal which has bitten or scratched someone can be tested for rabies by examining its brain under a microscope. The animal must be captured and killed in order for this test to take place.

All mammals can carry rabies. Rabid animals may be either aggressive or fearful. They typically drool excessively, cannot swallow or walk properly, and have seizures. Horses and livestock with rabies may injure themselves or be unusually sensitive to light.

An animal that is normally active at night wandering around during the daytime may be showing signs of rabies.

Rabies causes paralysis, which prevents its victim from moving and breathing. This ultimately causes the victim’s death.

In humans, symptoms may not appear for two to three months after the exposure. There have been cases when symptoms appeared in as little as one week, or after as long as one year. The initial symptoms include fever, unexplained pain, and tingling or burning sensations at the scratch or bite site.

From there, the victim may slowly become paralyzed and fall into a coma – known as “paralytic rabies” or “dumb rabies” – or develop “furious rabies”. Sufferers of furious rabies become hyperactive, uncoordinated, may hallucinate, and develop a fear of water.

Both forms of rabies are equally fatal.

Post-exposure treatment for rabies can be obtained at nearly any hospital in the United States. Any hospital unable to provide the treatment will immediately transfer the patient to a hospital that can.

Most primary care and urgent care clinics do not have the treatment. A hospital is usually required.

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