On Wednesday, November 14th, the American biologist being treated at San Juan de Dios Hospital in San Jose, died of cardiorespiratory failure, after having been bitten by a rabid bat while exploring a cave in Copey de Dota with his family. The scientist was 43 years old, and his name is being withheld at the request of his family.
The biologist was admitted on October 21st to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, where he remained on life support until yesterday. At the time he was admitted, he was paralyzed from the neck down, and in severe kidney failure.
He had apparently entered a cave with his family on August 15, where he came into contact with a rabid bat who bit him on his left arm, but sought no medical care until two months after the incident. His family was unharmed.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), “The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu, including general weakness or discomfort, fever, or a headache.” These symptoms last for days, often with itching or tingling at the site of the bite. In most of the world the main culprits of the spread of rabies is dogs, but in Costa Rica rabies is found mainly in vampire bats. The virus is spread to people through saliva of the infected animal, usually transmitted by a bite. As the virus progresses, people experience agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and changes in behavior.
Once a person shows signs and symptoms of rabies, it is almost always fatal. If treated immediately, most people survive unless they are already sick or in a weakened condition. Rabies may also be transmitted by coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and of course, dogs. It is recommended that all cats and dogs in Costa Rica have rabies vaccinations.
Those people working in areas of high risk for bat activity, or in labs or veterinary clinics are advised to be vaccinated against rabies with a 3 pre-exposure series, and two more after possible exposure to rabies. People are often reluctant to have these shots because they have heard of the old school rabies series of 14-21 days of shots, which were extremely painful and had serious side effects. Experts recommend washing an animal bite thoroughly, then heading immediately to a clinic or hospital for treatment.
The deceased biologist did not experience symptoms until four weeks after he was bitten. Symptoms may appear immediately, or several months later, at which time it may be too late to effectively treat.
The hospital did everything they could to save the scientist’s life. Avoidance of bat contact and immediate treatment of bat bites is essential to avoid the rabies virus on Costa Rica or elsewhere.
The biologist was admitted on October 21st to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, where he remained on life support until yesterday. At the time he was admitted, he was paralyzed from the neck down, and in severe kidney failure.
He had apparently entered a cave with his family on August 15, where he came into contact with a rabid bat who bit him on his left arm, but sought no medical care until two months after the incident. His family was unharmed.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), “The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu, including general weakness or discomfort, fever, or a headache.” These symptoms last for days, often with itching or tingling at the site of the bite. In most of the world the main culprits of the spread of rabies is dogs, but in Costa Rica rabies is found mainly in vampire bats. The virus is spread to people through saliva of the infected animal, usually transmitted by a bite. As the virus progresses, people experience agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and changes in behavior.
Once a person shows signs and symptoms of rabies, it is almost always fatal. If treated immediately, most people survive unless they are already sick or in a weakened condition. Rabies may also be transmitted by coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and of course, dogs. It is recommended that all cats and dogs in Costa Rica have rabies vaccinations.
Those people working in areas of high risk for bat activity, or in labs or veterinary clinics are advised to be vaccinated against rabies with a 3 pre-exposure series, and two more after possible exposure to rabies. People are often reluctant to have these shots because they have heard of the old school rabies series of 14-21 days of shots, which were extremely painful and had serious side effects. Experts recommend washing an animal bite thoroughly, then heading immediately to a clinic or hospital for treatment.
The deceased biologist did not experience symptoms until four weeks after he was bitten. Symptoms may appear immediately, or several months later, at which time it may be too late to effectively treat.
The hospital did everything they could to save the scientist’s life. Avoidance of bat contact and immediate treatment of bat bites is essential to avoid the rabies virus on Costa Rica or elsewhere.
