Rare case of human rabies kills NKY resident, health officials say

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WXIX) – A Northern Kentucky resident has died from a rare case of human rabies, health officials say.

In a press release Friday, the Kentucky Department of Public Health reported that there has been a human fatality from rabies exposure.

It is unclear what caused this person’s infection, but officials say they may have contracted during international travel.

The individual received treatment in both Kentucky and Ohio, so the two state’s health departments are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the case.

“Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain,” said KDPH Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack. “Unfortunately, if left untreated rabies is usually fatal. Immediate medical care after a suspected exposure to rabies is critical, as rabies treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is nearly 100% effective at preventing rabies.”

Officials say human-to-human transmission is rare, but the health departments are working to ensure that people who were in contact with the individual are assessed and given proper treatment.

KDPH says that the last case of rabies infection in a Kentucky resident in 1996

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