Department: Utah resident 1st to die from rabies since 1944

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - State health officials say a Utah resident has died from rabies for the first time in over seven decades.

The Department of Health says the victim died earlier this month and that the death is the first of a Utah resident since 1944.

No information was released about the victim or circumstances of the person’s infection.

The department says bats are the most likely source of exposure to rabies for Utah residents, and officials say people who should not touch, hit or kill bats.