Florida reports 2nd human rabies death in recent months

For the second time since Oct. 2017, rabies has taken the life of a Florida resident–both contracted via a bat bite.

It was announced today that 6-year-old Ryker Roque, who was undergoing the Milwaukee protocol in an attempt to save his life, has died from rabies.

According to the NBC News report, Ryker’s dad, Henry found a sick bat and placed it in a bucket, instructing the child not to touch it. Unfortunately, Ryker did and got scratched.

The family did not seek out post exposure prophylaxis and did not seek medical attention until symptoms began.

Doctors in Orlando tried the sometimes successful experimental treatment, Milwaukee protocol; however, Ryker died.

This comes just days after the Milwaukee protocol was credited with saving the life of a Brazilian teen who contracted rabies via a vampire bat bite (Read more about the Milwaukee protocol at the link).

This is the second human rabies fatality in Florida in recent months. In Oct. 2017,  a resident from Highlands County, Florida died from rabies following a bat bite.

LISTEN: Everything you wanted to know about rabies

Human rabies cases in the United States are rare, with only 1 to 3 cases reported annually. Twenty-eight cases of human rabies have been diagnosed in the United States since 2006, of which 8 cases were infected outside the United States and its territories.

Worldwide, it is estimated that there are more than 69,000 deaths due to rabies annually.

Related: 

• The World’s Deadliest Viruses
• Rabies: What You Need to Know
• Florida reports 60 animal rabies cases through September
• Rabies: Virginia reports case in traveler to India
• Global health organizations release statement on World Rabies Day
• Maryland resident contracted rabies through organ transplant: CDC