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WI health officials see first human rabies case in nearly 50 years

Infection Control Monitor, October 22, 2004

Wisconsin public health officials are assessing any possible risks to people who came in contact with a teenager diagnosed with a rare case of human rabies, the Associated Press reports.

A rabies-infected bat bit the teen in September, but the patient did not seek treatment right away. Symptoms emerged October 13 and a subsequent test by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the teen has rabies.

Although human-to-human transmission of rabies is rare, Wisconsin officials do not want to take any chances and is working with local health officials to determine if anyone else is at risk. The last case of human rabies in Wisconsin occurred nearly 50 years ago.

According to the CDC, most people do not show symptoms of the disease until one-to-three months after becoming infected. Symptoms could include tingling or numbness in the area of the bite, lack of coordination, agitation, headaches, hallucinations, and seizures.

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