Tragic Rabies Death of 11-Year-old Linked to Bat Encounter

WHO:

CNN - An 11-year-old Canadian boy, unnamed in the report.

CNN - Doctors from the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba, Canada.

CNN - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency identified a bat rabies virus variant.

WHAT:

USA Today - The boy was the first reported case of locally acquired rabies in Ontario since 1967.

USA Today - Despite aggressive treatment, the boy died after more than two weeks in the hospital.

USA Today - A PCR test confirmed infection with a bat rabies virus variant.

USA Today - The boy's condition rapidly worsened, leading to a diagnosis of rabies after 17 days in the hospital.

USA Today - The report emphasizes that rabies can be mistaken for other illnesses, complicating diagnosis.

USA Today - The report highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even without visible injuries.

CNN - The report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal detailed the case on June 29.

USA Today - The boy's symptoms included facial numbness, persistent vomiting, fever, confusion, and hallucinations.

USA Today - The boy died 17 days after being admitted to the hospital.

CNN - The boy began to experience symptoms 19 days after the bat encounter.

CNN - The boy was initially prescribed medication for herpes three days after the onset of symptoms.

CNN - The boy was discharged from the hospital on a presumed diagnosis of herpes gingivostomatitis before returning the next morning with worsening symptoms.

CNN - The boy's condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his placement on a ventilator and admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

CNN - The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association reported that rabies is very rare in humans in Canada, with just 28 human cases reported since 1924.

CNN - The World Health Organization reported in 2024 that rabies causes tens of thousands of deaths globally each year, with children under 15 making up 40% of the victims.

CNN - The boy died from rabies after waking up with a bat on his nose and mouth.

CNN - The boy experienced a progressive tingling sensation and numbness on the right side of his face, followed by facial swelling and a loss of appetite.

CNN - A PCR test confirmed a rabies diagnosis on the fourth day of the boy’s hospital admission.

CNN - The child died on his 17th day in the hospital.

NY Post - "If you get symptomatic rabies infection, it is near universally fatal. But if you get the prevention before symptoms develop, it is near universally successful."

WHERE:

CNN - The incident occurred during a visit to a cottage in northern Ontario, Canada.

CNN - The boy was treated at a city hospital in Ontario.

WHEN:

CNN - The episode occurred in 2024.

CNN - The boy was the first reported case of locally acquired rabies in Ontario since 1967.

WHY:

USA Today - The report emphasizes the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even without visible injuries.

CNN - The boy's parents did not seek medical attention initially because he had no visible bite marks and the bat’s behavior did not seem erratic.

HOW:

USA Today - If administered promptly, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent rabies if given before symptoms appear.

USA Today - The report highlights that rabies symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses, complicating diagnosis.

CNN - The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association advises people to report wild animals behaving strangely to local animal control or related authorities.

CNN - The boy's father caught the bat in a cooking pot and released it outside after the boy smacked it off his face.

CNN - The boy was initially prescribed medication for herpes, presumed to be suffering from Bell’s palsy.

CNN - Symptoms in humans tend to occur 20 to 60 days after exposure, but can begin much sooner or later.

(UPDATED July 2, 2026 13:37 UTC)

A boy in Ontario has tragically become the first reported case of locally acquired rabies in the region since 1967, and despite aggressive treatment efforts, he passed away after more than two weeks in the hospital. A PCR test confirmed that he was infected with a bat rabies virus variant. It's important to note that if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is administered promptly, it can prevent the disease if given before symptoms appear.

(UPDATED July 2, 2026 06:19 UTC)

A boy's condition has rapidly worsened, leading to a diagnosis of rabies after spending 17 days in the hospital. A report emphasizes that rabies can often be mistaken for other illnesses, which complicates the diagnosis process, and highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even if there are no visible injuries. It also notes that if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is administered promptly, it can effectively prevent the disease if given before symptoms appear.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 19:35 UTC)

A recent report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal details a tragic case involving a boy who exhibited symptoms such as facial numbness, persistent vomiting, fever, confusion, and hallucinations, ultimately leading to his death 17 days after being admitted to the hospital. The report underscores the critical need for immediate medical evaluation following any direct contact with a bat, even if there are no visible injuries. It also highlights that rabies symptoms can often be mistaken for other illnesses, making diagnosis more complicated.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 17:39 UTC)

A young boy began experiencing symptoms 19 days after encountering a bat, and he was initially prescribed medication for herpes three days after those symptoms appeared. His condition worsened, leading to his admission to the pediatric intensive care unit and placement on a ventilator after being discharged with a presumed diagnosis of herpes gingivostomatitis. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association emphasizes the importance of reporting any wild animals behaving strangely to local authorities, as rabies, while rare in humans in Canada, remains a serious global health issue.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 15:57 UTC)

An 11-year-old boy in Canada tragically died from rabies after waking up with a bat on his face during a visit to a cottage in northern Ontario. Doctors confirmed the diagnosis on the fourth day of his hospital stay, following symptoms that included facial swelling and numbness, and he ultimately passed away on his seventeenth day in the hospital. This case marks the first reported instance of locally acquired rabies in Ontario since 1967, highlighting the importance of seeking medical attention even when symptoms are not immediately apparent.