The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) are responding to

A recent death in the Nebraska panhandle could possibly be from a rabies infection, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Monday.

The exact location has not been released. There is no risk to the public at large. DHHS is helping the Panhandle Public Health District with preventive steps, contacting people who were in contact with the individual to assess exposure risks and offer those deemed at-risk post-exposure prophylaxis.

Rabies is a fatal, but preventable, DHHS said. It can be spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches by an infected animal. Immediate medical attention following suspected exposure is critical.

Medical care for a rabies exposure is called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP. It includes wound care, a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of 4-5 rabies vaccines, which must be administered as soon as possible after exposure. This care is overwhelmingly effective at preventing the disease from developing.

Prevent rabies with these steps:

If you have any additional questions, please call the Panhandle Public Health District at 308-487-3600 or email [email protected].