Valley resident dies from rabies after suspected bat bite, health officials confirm

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno County health officials have confirmed that a person has died from rabies.

The Public Health Department says it believes the patient was bitten by a bat in Merced County.

Officials are now notifying individuals who may have been exposed, as well as preparing medical providers in the community on response measures.

Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain and nervous system.

In the United States, more than 90% of rabies cases are from a wild animal.

Action News spoke with Dr. Geetha Sivasubramanian with UCSF Fresno, who said seven out of 10 people who get infected with rabies get the virus from a bat.

Potentially tragic outcomes can be prevented if an exposed person or animal receives a series of rabies vaccine shots.

They should get them as soon as possible after the exposure, even if there are no symptoms.