Ontario: A very sad incident that took place in Canada is a testament to how dangerous the rabies virus, which is spread by bat bites, is. Although there were no visible signs of a bat bite or scratch, an 11-year-old boy has died of rabies without treatment. Medical experts have warned the public about this hidden danger hidden in the company of bats.
No bite marks, family neglect According to reports, the boy was on vacation with his family in northern Ontario during the summer of 2024. One night, he woke up suddenly to find a bat lying on his nose and mouth. The frightened boy pushed it away with his hand, after which his father caught the bat and let it go outside. The boy had no injuries or blood marks on his body, so his family did not immediately seek medical attention.
About 19 days after the incident, the boy began to experience persistent vomiting, facial numbness, and tingling. When his condition worsened, he was admitted to the hospital’s emergency department. However, by the time doctors diagnosed it as rabies, the virus had already spread to his brain and nervous system. The boy died after two weeks of intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. This is the first rabies death reported in the province of Ontario in 50 years.
Why are bat bites invisible to the eye? According to doctors, bats’ teeth and claws are very sensitive and sharp. When they bite or scratch, they do not leave any large wounds or blood marks on the skin. This is why people do not know that they have been infected. Once rabies symptoms (fever, confusion, paralysis, difficulty swallowing) appear in the body, it is impossible to revive the person and death is 100% certain.
What are the main tips given by doctors? Immediate treatment: Rabies can be prevented by 100% if treatment (vaccination and immune globulin) is received before symptoms appear. If a bat is found in the room where you are sleeping or if there is direct physical contact with a bat, you should immediately see a doctor and get the rabies vaccine (PEP), even if there is no sign of injury.
The boy’s parents shared this story with the media with the aim of preventing such a tragedy from happening to others and to create awareness among the public.