NEWS RELEASES
UPDATED STATEMENT FROM TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

HOUSTON (06/12/2006) - Texas Children's Hospital is deeply saddened to report that an Humble-area teenager died on Friday, May 12 at 4:55 p.m. from the effects of rabies after exposure to a bat in his home.The family wishes to express its thanks to the community for their prayers and support.


STATEMENT FROM TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

In response to media requests for interviews and comments, Texas Children’s Hospital issues the following statement:

Despite heroic efforts made by many dedicated, highly skilled, intensive care-trained physicians, infectious disease specialists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, pediatric cardiologists, nurses, pharmacists and respiratory therapists, no treatment could save the child. 

As with all Texas Children’s patients, the many health care professionals who treated this young patient share the grief experienced by the family.

Rabies, which causes devastating neurological damage, is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, as was the case with this child.

Many patients with rabies worldwide have been treated intensively and nevertheless have died.  Antirabies antibodies, interferon and its inducers, and various antivirals all have been used without evident success. 

Although a rare case of survival was reported in Wisconsin, rabies is always fatal unless the patient receives the rabies vaccine immediately after contact with the disease. 

Virtually every other patient with rabies prior to and subsequent to the Wisconsin patient has died.

The family has requested that the hospital not release further details.


Additional Resources:

• Rabies FAQ
• Web resources on rabies