Nosocomial rabies: investigation of contacts of human rabies cases associated with a corneal transplant

In October 1978 in Boise, Idaho, a woman died of rabies after receiving a corneal transplant from a man, who in retrospect was also found to have died of rabies. Investigation of 203 contacts of these two patients identified 94 who were felt to have had sufficient risk of exposure to justify being given rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, and family members were at greatest risk. We discuss the problems encountered in determining risk of exposure for contacts of humans with rabies.