An 11-year-old child has died in the province of Ontario, Canada, after contracting rabies following contact with a bat in a cabin during the summer of 2024, according to a report recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The child woke up during the night to find a bat on his face, near his mouth and nose. Although no obvious bites or visible wounds were observed, the family did not seek immediate medical attention, as there was no clear perceived risk of contagion.
Approximately 19 days after the incident, the child began to experience severe neurological symptoms, such as vomiting, pain, and sensory disturbances in the face. It was then confirmed that he had rabies, a viral disease that, once symptoms appear, is usually fatal.
The case has been described as exceptional by health authorities, as it would be the first local rabies infection in humans in Canada since 1967. The infection is believed to have occurred through a bat carrying the virus, an animal considered the main reservoir of rabies in North America.
Public health authorities have emphasized the importance of treating any direct contact with bats as a potential risk exposure, even in the absence of visible bites, and recommend seeking immediate medical attention for preventive treatment.
Rabies can be effectively prevented by prompt administration of the vaccine after exposure, but once clinical symptoms appear, the outcome is usually fatal.