Identification of Tourists from Switzerland Exposed to Rabies Virus While Visiting the United States - January 2018

• Published in: MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2018, Vol.67 (16), p.477-478
• Main Authors: Pieracci, Emily G, Stanek, Danielle, Koch, Daniel, Kohl, Katrin S, Blanton, Jesse D, Harder, Terri, O'Brien, Marian, Leon, Hugo, Colarusso, Pam, Baker, Brittany, Brown, Clive, Stauffer, Kendra E, Petersen, Brett W, Wallace, Ryan M
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bats; Encephalitis; Exposure; Fluorescence; Fluorescent antibody test; Infectious diseases; International regulations; Prophylaxis; Public health; Quarantine; Rabies; Shopping malls; Tourists; Veterinary medicine; Veterinary services; Viruses; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 0149-2195; 1545-861X

Pieracci et al cite that on January 16, 2018, CDC was notified by the Florida Department of Health of potential rabies virus exposure in two persons believed to be residents of Switzerland. Rabies virus infections cause a fatal encephalitis, and persons exposed to the virus are advised to receive postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible. On January 10, 2018, a married couple found a bat in a Naples, Florida, shopping mall parking lot and took it to a local veterinary clinic. The woman, estimated to be aged 50-60 years, stated that they were Swiss tourists. No other identifying information was obtained. On January 15, 2018, the bat tested positive for rabies by the direct fluorescent antibody test at the Florida Department of Health public health laboratory. After repeated efforts to identify the couple were unsuccessful, CDC was able to locate the couple by using the national focal point network maintained by World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR); the two were promptly administered PEP.