Post by w4J on Mar 3, 2007 13:15:09 GMT -5
www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/03/02/rabies-alberta.html?ref=rss
Alberta has first human case of rabies in 2 decades
Man developed symptoms 5 months after being attacked by bat while sleeping
Last Updated: Friday, March 2, 2007 | 10:47 PM ET
CBC News
An Alberta man who was bitten by a bat while sleeping has developed rabies, which rarely affects humans but is often deadly, an Alberta Health official said Friday.
The man — who lives east of Edmonton — did not get vaccinated after he was attacked in August 2006 and is now in serious condition in hospital, said Dr. Karen Grimsrud, a provincial health officer.
Rabies, which ravages the brain and spinal cord, is fatal in more than 50 per cent of human cases that are not immediately treated, according to Health Canada. The federal agency reports that 21 persons have died of rabies in Canada since 1925.
In most cases, it takes months before an infected person notices any symptoms, which can include extreme anxiety, paralysis, convulsions and difficulty swallowing.
Grimsrud said the Alberta man woke up in the middle of the night when the bat bit him, but he didn't show any symptoms until January.
'Once you develop the neurological symptoms, there's very little that can be done.'
—Dr. Karen Grimsrud"Once you develop the neurological symptoms, there's very little that can be done," Grimsrud said Friday. "All we can do is make them comfortable."
Rabies is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal but is usually passed from animal to animal, rarely affecting humans. Animals known to transmit the disease include foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats.
Alberta hasn't had a human case since 1985, when a Calgary man developed rabies after being bitten by a bat.
People who suspect they've been exposed to the virus that causes rabies are urged to get a rabies vaccine as soon as possible.
"Any bat bite really needs a follow-up because there is always that potential that they could have rabies and, through the bite, spread the virus to the person that they bit," Grimsrud said.
Man's friends, family being checked
Since the Edmonton case was discovered, health regions in Alberta have been contacting doctors, medical staff, family members or friends who may have come in direct contact with the infected man's saliva or bodily fluids.
This is a precautionary measure, as there has never been a documented case of humans transmitting rabies to other humans
Alberta has first human case of rabies in 2 decades
Man developed symptoms 5 months after being attacked by bat while sleeping
Last Updated: Friday, March 2, 2007 | 10:47 PM ET
CBC News
An Alberta man who was bitten by a bat while sleeping has developed rabies, which rarely affects humans but is often deadly, an Alberta Health official said Friday.
The man — who lives east of Edmonton — did not get vaccinated after he was attacked in August 2006 and is now in serious condition in hospital, said Dr. Karen Grimsrud, a provincial health officer.
Rabies, which ravages the brain and spinal cord, is fatal in more than 50 per cent of human cases that are not immediately treated, according to Health Canada. The federal agency reports that 21 persons have died of rabies in Canada since 1925.
In most cases, it takes months before an infected person notices any symptoms, which can include extreme anxiety, paralysis, convulsions and difficulty swallowing.
Grimsrud said the Alberta man woke up in the middle of the night when the bat bit him, but he didn't show any symptoms until January.
'Once you develop the neurological symptoms, there's very little that can be done.'
—Dr. Karen Grimsrud"Once you develop the neurological symptoms, there's very little that can be done," Grimsrud said Friday. "All we can do is make them comfortable."
Rabies is transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal but is usually passed from animal to animal, rarely affecting humans. Animals known to transmit the disease include foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats.
Alberta hasn't had a human case since 1985, when a Calgary man developed rabies after being bitten by a bat.
People who suspect they've been exposed to the virus that causes rabies are urged to get a rabies vaccine as soon as possible.
"Any bat bite really needs a follow-up because there is always that potential that they could have rabies and, through the bite, spread the virus to the person that they bit," Grimsrud said.
Man's friends, family being checked
Since the Edmonton case was discovered, health regions in Alberta have been contacting doctors, medical staff, family members or friends who may have come in direct contact with the infected man's saliva or bodily fluids.
This is a precautionary measure, as there has never been a documented case of humans transmitting rabies to other humans