U.S. Reports Thai Rabies Death Despite Shot, Faults Procedures
U.S. health officials reported Friday the second confirmed death of rabies in a patient who had received rabies vaccine within 24 hours of being bitten.
The case occurred in Thailand, where a 10-year-old boy last March was bitten by a rabid dog, and died of rabies 36 days later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported.
The child had received standard human rabies vaccine and immunity-boosting globulin, or protein, within 21 hours after his bite. Still, he developed the deadly disease.
“There are several possible explanations,” the Atlanta-based CDC said. The boy’s severe bite was in his head, which increased his chances of rabies; the wound was flushed with saline solution, not soap and water as recommended; and his vaccine was given in the buttocks, not in the arm as is recommended.
“Proper wound management and proper administration of . . . (the vaccine) might have prevented disease,” the agency said.
About 18,000 Americans each year receive precautionary treatment after exposure to possibly rabid animals.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
