Boy, 11, died of rabies after bat landed on his face while he slept
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- An 11-year-old boy in Northern Ontario died of rabies after waking to find a bat on his face, despite no visible bites or scratches, highlighting the virus's stealthy transmission.
- The boy showed no immediate symptoms and was not treated initially; symptoms appeared about 19 days later, including facial numbness, vomiting, and neurological decline, leading to a rabies diagnosis.
- This case marks the first locally acquired human rabies infection in Canada since 1967 and underscores the importance of seeking medical advice after any bat exposure, even without visible wounds.
- Medical experts emphasize that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but timely post-exposure prophylaxis is highly effective in preventing the disease.
- The report aims to raise public awareness about the risks of rabies from bats and the need for vigilance and prompt medical intervention following potential exposure.
