Idaho man dies from rabies infection

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Central District Health reported the first human case of rabies and subsequent death reported in the state since 1978.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the diagnosis after testing at its lab.

“This tragic case highlights how important it is that Idahoans are aware of the risk of rabies exposure,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn said Thursday. “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.”

Fourteen bats have tested positive for rabies in Idaho so far this year. During 2020, 11% of the 159 bats that were tested were positive for rabies.

In late August, a Boise County man encountered a bat on his property. It flew near him and became caught in his clothing, but he didn't think he had been bitten or scratched.

In October, he fell ill and was hospitalized in Boise, where he subsequently died. It was not until after the investigation into his illness began that the bat exposure was discovered.

Public health officials are working closely with the family and health care providers. Central District Health is working with the hospital where he was treated to identify people who may have been exposed. Those who had contact with secretions from the man are being assessed and will be given rabies preventive treatment as needed.

Rabies has the highest mortality rate of any disease. While cases of human rabies in the United States are rare, rabies exposures are common, with an estimated 60,000 Americans receiving the post-exposure vaccination series each year.

The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Without preventive treatment, rabies is almost always fatal.

“Idahoans are reminded that bats can become infected with rabies. While bats can be beneficial to our environment, people should be wary of any bat encounter, including waking up to a bat in your room, or any situation where there may have been a bite or scratch,” said Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, state public health veterinarian.

Bats are the most commonly identified species with rabies in Idaho.

“Every year we have several people and pets exposed to rabies in our district, generally spring through fall,” said Central District Health Communicable Disease Control Program Manager Lindsay Haskell. “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.”

Idaho has 14 bat species.