California: Human rabies death reported in Fresno County, First case since 1992
The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) is reporting a human rabies death, the first such case since 1992 in the county.
Officials say the Fresno County resident is suspected to have been bitten by a bat in Merced County in mid-October. The individual died on November 22 after one week of hospitalization.
Health care workers and household contacts have received rabies prophylaxis
Rabies is a very serious disease and is almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms appear. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually via bites or scratches. Wild animals, particularly bats and skunks, are a common source of rabies exposure.
If a bat – dead or alive – is found, the FCDPH urges residents to take the following precautions:
Do not touch the bat if possible.
Bites or scratches from bats often go undetected. Bat bites can be too small to feel or see. Direct contact with a bat, dead or alive, should be reported to your health care provider, whether or not an obvious injury is noted. Individuals who wake up to find a live or dead bat in the room should also notify their health care provider.
If you have had direct contact with a bat or suspect potential exposure:
Wash any bite or scratch wounds with soap and water.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and treatment.
Report the incident to your local health department for further guidance.
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