In the southern part of the state of Veracruz, Mexico, health and municipal authorities activated prevention and epidemiological surveillance protocols following the death of a resident in the municipality of Jesús Carranza. The suspected cause is human rabies.
According to Isla Mayor Ranferi Plata Rodríguez, the victim was bitten by a bat in a rural area near the border with the state of Oaxaca. This could be the first death from rabies in Mexico in 2026. The identity of the deceased has not been disclosed.
In response, authorities issued a preventive health alert. Coordination has been established with neighboring municipalities such as Sayula de Alemán, Hidalgotitlán, and Uxpanapa, with support from the Veracruz State Health Ministry to provide vaccines.
"We are in a region with many caves and a high presence of bats, so it is necessary to establish a strategy that allows us to advance in the control and eventual eradication of rabies," stated the mayor, who is working alongside specialist Marilú Méndez.
Authorities warn that rabies is a zoonotic viral disease affecting the central nervous system. Without rapid response, the mortality rate is nearly 100%. Experts recommend avoiding contact with wild animals, regularly vaccinating pets, and seeking immediate medical attention after any bite.
