Canadian boy, 11, dies of rabies after waking to a bat on his face

An 11-year-old Canadian boy tragically died from rabies in 2024, nearly three weeks after a bat landed on his face while he slept at a northern Ontario cottage. His family did not immediately seek medical attention because there were no visible bite marks or scratches, and the bat did not appear to be acting unusually. This rare occurrence in Canada has prompted medical professionals to emphasize the importance of seeking immediate evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, regardless of apparent injury.

Approximately 19 days after the incident, the boy began experiencing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and swelling on the right side of his face. Despite initial misdiagnosis, rabies was eventually confirmed, but by then, his condition had rapidly deteriorated, leading to his death after life support was withdrawn.

This case marks the first instance of human rabies acquired within Ontario since 1967 and only the 28th recorded in Canada since 1924. Doctors published a report on his case in the Canadian Medical Association Journal to raise public awareness that bat bites can be tiny and easily overlooked, underscoring the critical need for prompt medical consultation following any bat exposure.