Tragic Death of Child in Ontario Due to Rabies Infection from Bat
In a heartbreaking incident, a child in Ontario, Canada, recently died from rabies after being exposed to a bat in their bedroom. The child was not given a rabies vaccine despite waking up with a bat in their room, leading to the first case of domestically-acquired human rabies in Ontario since 1967. Rabies, a deadly viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals like bats, often results in severe brain and spinal damage and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
Dr. Malcolm Lock of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention and vaccination immediately after exposure to bats. This tragic event underscores the need for awareness and preventive measures against rabies, which can have devastating consequences. While cases of rabies among humans are rare in Canada and the US due to prevention efforts, the risk remains, particularly from encounters with rabid bats. Stay informed and take precautions to protect yourself and loved ones from this dangerous disease.
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