old boy died from rabies after waking up with bat on his mouth

Key Points:

• An 11-year-old Canadian boy died from rabies after waking up with a bat on his face during a 2024 visit to a cottage in northern Ontario; his family did not seek medical attention initially as there were no visible bite marks and the bat's behavior seemed normal.
• The boy developed symptoms 19 days later, including facial numbness, swelling, and difficulty swallowing, but was misdiagnosed initially with herpes-related conditions before rabies was suspected and confirmed via PCR testing.
• Rabies is a rare but almost always fatal viral infection once symptoms appear, transmitted through bites or contact with infected animals' bodily fluids; this case was the first locally acquired rabies death in Ontario since 1967.
• Health authorities emphasize that any direct contact with bats is high risk, recommending immediate wound washing and medical evaluation, as timely post-exposure prophylaxis can prevent the disease, but no effective treatment exists after symptoms develop.
• Rabies remains a significant global health threat, especially in Africa and Asia, with bats being the primary source in the Americas, and preventive measures include vaccinating pets, avoiding contact with wild animals, and securing homes against wildlife intrusion.