Individual meets demise following encounter with bat bite.
In many parts of the world, rabies claims numerous lives annually. Nevertheless, in the United States, deaths due to this disease are extremely uncommon. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently established a connection between a man's demise and a bat bite.
An elderly gentleman in the U.S., aged over 65, sadly passed away from rabies after being bitten by a bat in July, as revealed by Minnesota's health department. The CDC confirmed the diagnosis a week later, and they are still probing if other individuals may have been exposed to the virus. However, the general public is under no risk. Rabies-related casualties in the U.S. are virtually unheard of, with less than ten instances reported each year. Approximately 70% of these cases are linked to bat encounters.
Rabies is a virus that affects both animals and humans, infecting the central nervous system. If left untreated, the disease is almost inevitably fatal. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, rabies can be effectively managed if treatment is instituted prior to the appearance of symptoms.
Vaccination suggestions for certain locations
This recent instance highlights the significance of steering clear of bats. Given their minute teeth, a person might not even sense the bite, and there could be no observable traces of it.
In July, the authorities in Cape Town, South Africa, reported that eight individuals had been bitten by rabid seals. This marked the first identified rabies outbreak affecting multiple marine mammals globally.
At present, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) in Germany advocates preventive rabies vaccination for travel to regions where the disease is prevalent, such as Africa. As per the Robert Koch Institute, several mammals can transmit rabies viruses, including dogs, foxes, and bats. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), around 59,000 individuals succumb to rabies worldwide annually, with the actual number likely significantly higher in Africa and Asia.
Despite the rare instances of rabies in the U.S., it's crucial for individuals traveling to rabies-endemic areas to get vaccinated, as recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination in Germany. Vaccination provides protection against the potentially fatal virus, which can be transmitted by various mammals, including dogs, foxes, and bats.
