What to know
- Presentation Day/Time: Friday, April 25, 2:55–4:00 pm
- Presenter: Rebecca Earnest, PhD, MPH, EIS officer assigned to the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Disease Readiness and Innovation
What did we do?
- In November 2024, a man with progressive neurological symptoms was hospitalized.
- In December 2024, CDC confirmed a rabies diagnosis, prompting the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to investigate and identify exposed individuals to prevent further cases.
What did we find?
- Provider hesitancy and uncertainty about rabies testing potentially delayed diagnosis by several weeks.
- Sequencing revealed that the patient had been infected with a canine rabies virus variant found in the Caribbean, consistent with a travel history 7 months before symptom onset.
- A total of 640 close contacts of the patient (585 healthcare and 55 community) were administered a risk assessment questionnaire; 69 (11%) were recommended to receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Why does it matter?
- We identified a rabies case with delayed diagnosis resulting in numerous exposures, particularly among healthcare workers.
- Sequencing can determine the likely location of rabies infection, allowing the public health response to be directed where needed.
- Use of a standardized risk assessment tool can minimize unnecessary PEP administration, while ensuring those who require PEP are identified and referred for treatment.
Abstract Category: Rabies