Fatal case of human rabies imported to Italy from India highlights the importance of adequate post-exposure prophylaxis, October 2011

Euro Surveill. 2012 May 10;17(19):20168.

Abstract

In October 2011, an Indian man resident in Italy was admitted to a hospital in Mantua, Italy with symptoms of acute encephalitis. Due to a recent history of bite by a suspected rabid dog in India, where he had received incomplete post-exposure treatment, rabies was suspected. The patient died after 22 days of intensive care treatment and rabies was confirmed post mortem. This report stresses the need of appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis in rabies-endemic countries.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / complications
  • Bites and Stings / virology
  • Contact Tracing
  • Critical Care
  • Dog Diseases / transmission*
  • Dogs
  • Encephalitis, Viral / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis, Viral / etiology*
  • Encephalitis, Viral / therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • India
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Rabies / diagnosis
  • Rabies / mortality
  • Rabies / transmission*
  • Rabies / veterinary*
  • Rabies Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Rabies virus / isolation & purification*
  • Travel*

Substances

  • Rabies Vaccines