A northern Kentucky man has died after contracting rabies.
On Friday, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) announced the death of a northern Kentucky resident. The man’s age and hometown were not released.
“The source of the individual’s rabies exposure has not been identified at his time and may have occurred outside of the U.S. during international travel,” according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Human to human transmission of rabies is rare, but health officials are working to ensure that people who have been in contact with the individual are assessed for possible exposure to rabies and receive medical treatment, the KDPH said.
“Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain,” KDPH Commissioner Steven Stack said. “Unfortunately, if left untreated rabies is usually fatal.”
The last Kentuckian with a confirmed rabies infection was in 1996, the KDPH said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 10 people per year in the U.S. die from rabies.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
