Man with colony of bats in home dies in first human case of rabies in
state since 1954
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[September 29, 2021]
By Brett Rowland
(The Center Square) – State public health
officials reported the first human case of rabies in Illinois since 1954
after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the
diagnosis Tuesday after testing at its lab.
In mid-August, a Lake County resident in his 80s awoke to a bat on his
neck. The bat was later captured and tested positive for rabies. The man
declined postexposure rabies treatment. A month later, he began
experiencing rabies symptoms, including neck pain, headache, difficulty
controlling his arms, finger numbness and difficulty speaking. Experts
found a bat colony in the man's home, according to a news release from
the Illinois Department of Public Health
The man, who was not identified in the news release, later died.
Officials said people who had contact with secretions from the man were
assessed and given rabies preventive treatment as needed.
“Rabies has the highest mortality rate of any disease,” IDPH Director
Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement. “However, there is life-saving
treatment for individuals who quickly seek care after being exposed to
an animal with rabies. If you think you may have been exposed to rabies,
immediately seek medical attention and follow the recommendations of
health care providers and public health officials.”
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An estimated 60,000 people in America are exposed to
rabies each year. However, human cases rabies in the United States
are rare, with about 1 to 3 cases reported each year. The rabies
virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease
in the brain and death. Without preventive treatment, it is usually
deadly, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
While people usually know when if have been bitten by a bat, bats
have very small teeth and the bite mark may not be easy to see.
Anyone in close proximity to a bat and not sure if they were exposed
should seek medical attention. Anyone who wakes up with a bat in the
house should not release the bat. It should be captured for rabies
testing, according to public health officials. Local animal care and
control agencies can safely remove the bat. |