Rabies Bite Triggers Rare Genetic Disorder, Leaving Florida Woman Hospitalized for Ten Months

In early 2023, Kennedy Ward, a Florida resident who regularly fed stray cats, was bitten by a cat the family called “Baby.” After the bite, she received a tetanus shot at urgent care and was told there was no immediate cause for concern. Within days, health officials informed her that a cat in a nearby neighborhood had tested positive for rabies, prompting the county health department to advise monitoring the animal. Following CDC guidance that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but can be prevented with prompt post-exposure prophylaxis, Ward began the standard regimen of wound cleaning, rabies immune globulin, and a series of vaccinations.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that immediate administration of rabies immune globulin and vaccine series is highly effective at averting disease. Ward’s first vaccine dose, however, triggered severe swelling of her throat, leading clinicians to suspect an allergic reaction. Subsequent doses caused repeated airway obstruction, requiring intubation and, eventually, a tracheostomy. After extensive evaluation, doctors diagnosed her with hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare genetic disorder characterized by episodic, non-histamine-mediated swelling. A 2026 systematic review in *International Archives of Allergy and Immunology* reported a pooled diagnosed prevalence of about 1.7 cases per 100,000 people.

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Ward endured eight intubations over three months and spent a total of ten months in the hospital, alternating between comas lasting from a day to a week. The prolonged treatment left her with multiple complications: steroid-induced osteoporosis, blood clots, lung disease, a common variable immune deficiency, expressive aphasia, and a brain injury. She also requires regular iron and blood infusions and must carry a costly, rare medication for emergency HAE attacks.

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Three years after the incident, Ward is gradually regaining independence. She is completing a bachelor’s degree, working part-time, and has applied to pursue a master’s program. Seeking community support, she began sharing her experience online to help others facing similar challenges.

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• “A cat one neighborhood over from us had tested positive for rabies,” — Kennedy Ward

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• “He started walking in circles, screaming and screeching,” — Kennedy Ward

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• “I have to be very careful around others because my immune system is compromised, and I get iron and blood infusions often," Ward said.” — Kennedy Ward

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