Risk of rabies transmission and adverse effects of postexposure prophylaxis in health care workers exposed to a fatal case of human rabies

On May 27, 2008, a patient died from rabies at the Cayenne Hospital in French Guiana. Postexposure prophylaxis vaccination was implemented for all health care workers exposed to this patient. Examining the management of such a rare risk reveals important factors in the education of personnel who may have contact with a patient with rabies, to permit appropriate risk assessment and reduce unnecessary postexposure prophylaxis, taking into account the risks and costs of adverse events.