Rabies: A Teacher's Fatal Encounter with a Bat

California Rabies Case

California art teacher's tragic death from rabies in November 2024 has raised concerns about the risks associated with bat encounters. The teacher may have been bitten or scratched by a bat she found in her classroom and attempted to release outside. Public health officials emphasize the importance of immediate medical treatment after someone has come into contact with an animal that may carry rabies.¹

Rabies: A Deadly but Preventable Disease

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease that can spread to people and pets through bites and scratches from an infected animal. The rabies virus primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start.²

The Importance of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

If you think you have been exposed to rabies, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention. Medical care following a rabies exposure is called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP. PEP includes wound care, a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of four or five rabies vaccines, which must be administered as soon as possible after exposure.²



This care is vital to prevent the disease from developing and is nearly 100% effective if administered promptly.²

Rabies in the United States

In the United States, more than 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals occur in wildlife. Contact with infected bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths in the country.²



At least 7 out of 10 Americans who die from rabies in the US were infected by bats.²

Prevention

Rabies prevention efforts by veterinary, wildlife management, and public health professionals mean that human cases of rabies in the U.S. are rare. 



The best way to prevent rabies is by²:


• Making sure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccines
• Keeping wildlife wild
• Calling animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood
• Washing bites or scratches immediately with soap and water
• Seeking medical care shortly after potential exposures

The Importance of Seeking Medical Care

While rabies is well controlled in the U.S., over 4 million Americans report being bitten by animals each year. Strong public health systems help to rule out the need for costly rabies medical care for many of these bite victims.³


If you have been in contact with any wildlife or unfamiliar animals, particularly if you have been bitten or scratched, it is important to seek medical care immediately.³ Wash any wounds immediately with soap and water for 15 minutes and talk with a healthcare or public health professional about your risk and if you need rabies-related care.³

Conclusion

The tragic death of the teacher underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical care after any potential rabies exposure. Rabies is a serious public health concern, but it is nearly 100% preventable with prompt and appropriate medical treatment.²