Idaho Man's Rabies Death Marks State's First Since 1978

An Idaho man has died after being exposed to a bat, marking the state's first human death from rabies since the 1970s.

The man's exposure happened in late August when he encountered a bat on his property, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) noted in a news release. The creature flew near him and got caught in his clothes. However, he didn't think he had gotten bitten or scratched from the encounter.

In October, the man got sick. He was hospitalized and subsequently died.

"It was not until after the investigation into his illness began that the bat exposure was discovered," the IDHW noted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eventually confirmed the rabies diagnosis. As such, those who may have been exposed to the man's secretions are already being assessed. If needed, they will be given rabies preventive treatment.

"This tragic case highlights how important it is that Idahoans are aware of the risk of rabies exposure," Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist, said in the IDHW news release. "Although deaths are rare, it is critical that people exposed to a bat receive appropriate treatment to prevent the onset of rabies as soon as possible."

Rabies-related human deaths in the U.S. have declined in the 20th Century, according to the CDC. From the 1900s when there were about 100 cases each year, the number has since declined to one or two cases annually since the 1960s. That said, rabies exposures are actually still quite common in the country, with about 60,000 Americans receiving the post-exposure vaccination every year.

Seeking prompt medical attention is an important step for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to a rabid animal, the IDHW noted, as rabies is "virtually 100% fatal in people and animals" if they don't get the necessary intervention in time.

"Every year we have several people and pets exposed to rabies in our district, generally spring through fall," Lindsay Haskell, program manager at Central District Health Communicable Disease Control, said in the news release. "We want our residents and visitors to Idaho to be informed of the risk of rabies, to take appropriate steps to limit risk, and to take action when necessary."

Bites are the main way that rabies is transmitted. In the case of bats, people can often tell if they've been bitten, but some bite marks may be too small that they are hard to see. Furthermore, it's not possible to determine if a bat has rabies just by looking at it.

This is why people should be aware of any bat encounters, whether they had a close encounter such as a bite or perhaps woke up with the bat inside their room, cabin or tent. They should keep in mind, however, that all mammals have the potential to transmit the rabies virus "under the right circumstances."

"If you've been in contact with any wildlife or unfamiliar animals, particularly if you've been bitten or scratched, you should talk with a healthcare or public health professional to determine your risk for rabies or other illnesses," the CDC explained. "Wash any wounds immediately with soap and water and then plan to see a healthcare provider."

Rabies is a medical urgency but not an emergency, the CDC said further. State and local health departments can help people determine if they need the post-exposure prophylaxis.