Utah public health officials have confirmed a Utah resident died from rabies earlier this month. It is suspected exposure to a bat was the source of infection. This is the first Utah resident to die from rabies since 1944.
In Utah, people and animals are most likely to come into contact with rabies through exposure to bats. Because a bat’s teeth and claws are so small, a bat bite or scratch may not be seen or felt by the injured person. Anyone who is bitten by a bat, has bare skin contact with a bat, or has other potential contact with a bat (such as waking up in a room with a bat) should contact their health care provider or local health department for advice on whether they should receive treatment to prevent rabies. Since rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop, all potential exposures must be taken seriously.
Rabies affects the nervous system of humans and animals. A person may contract rabies through a bite, scratch, or saliva from the infected animal. Due to the presence of virus in some fluids such as saliva, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), tears, and respiratory tract fluids, it is theoretically possible for a person to spread rabies to another person through contact with these body fluids. The only well-documented cases of rabies caused by human-to-human transmission occurred among recipients of transplanted corneas and recipients of solid organs. Rabies is not found in urine, blood, serum, or feces.
The UDOH and local health departments urge all Utahns to avoid the heartache of unnecessarily euthanizing pets and undergoing rabies treatment by ensuring their pets’ rabies vaccines are up-to-date. Utah law requires all domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets receive a rabies vaccine. Pet owners are encouraged to check with their veterinarian for more information.