(RepublicanPress.org) – It’s important to remember the potential harm associated with animal bites aside from the wound itself. For instance, the World Health Organization warns that rabies infection from animal bites kills tens of thousands of people globally each year. In the US, Texas health officials recently reported its first case of rabies in a human since 2009.
On October 29, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a press release detailing the case. According to the report, a Medina County child contracted rabies after being bitten by a bat. The child received treatment at a local hospital.
DSHS is investigating a rare human case of rabies in a child bitten by a bat who is receiving care in a Texas hospital. Public health personnel have directly contacted people and places that may have been exposed.
Learn more, #TexasDSHSNewsRelease: https://t.co/Upt5TKvrb8 pic.twitter.com/vWUeMtr6PJ
— Texas DSHS (@TexasDSHS) October 29, 2021
The DSHS launched an immediate investigation into the incident, focusing on identifying possible locations where other people may have come into contact with the bat or the infected child. Health officials are currently evaluating those people to find out if they need to receive preventative treatment.
The notice also explained that anyone potentially impacted by the incident should have already received written notice or a phone call from health officials. Those in Medina County who haven’t received a notice should consider themselves in the clear.
If a person is scratched or bitten by a wild or unvaccinated animal, they should immediately wash the wound with soap and water. It’s very important that they seek medical treatment immediately since most cases of rabies prove deadly once symptoms appear.
Visit the CDC website for additional information about the disease, prevention, and treatment.
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