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Fatal Case of Human Rabies First in Maryland Since 1976

Fewer than five adults die from rabies in the United States each year.

UPDATE: March 15

A Maryland man whom the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene confirmed died of rabies contracted the disease from a kidney transplant, according to The Washington Post.

It was the first case in the state of fatal rabies since 1976.

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Citing two unnamed sources familiar with the case, the report said the patient, a man in his 20s, died at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington after receiving the transplant at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in 2011.

The report said that three people in other states received organs from the same Florida donor. Their conditions were reportedly unknown.

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Transmission of rabies through organ or tissue transplant is said to be rare worldwide.

According to the Post, fewer than five cases of rabies are diagnosed each year in the United States and most occur through contact with infected animals.

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(Previous story)

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reports that it has confirmed the first human death from rabies in the state since 1976.

To protect the privacy of family, no information about the victim has been released. As of March 12, there were also no details about how the individual was exposed to the virus.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies occurs in more than 150 countries/territories, and more than 55,000 people die from the virus each year, mostly in Asia and Africa.

WHO data shows that dogs are the source of the “vast majority” of human rabies deaths, and that wound cleansing and immunization within a few hours after contact with a suspected rabid animal can prevent death from the virus.

WHO also says that more than 15 million people annually receive a post-exposure rabies vaccination.

There is a rabies clinic, sponsored by the health department at the Ag Center on April 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cats and dogs will receive a rabies shot for $7. Call 410-857-5009 for more details. 

To learn more about rabies in Carroll County, visit the Department of Health website

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