Tragic rabies death in Ontario marks first case in 60 years

The parents failed to notice the bat that flew into the bedroom, resulting in their child dying from rabies, contracted from the animal. Canadian media are raising the alarm as this is the first such case in nearly sixty years.

The unusual infant death occurred in the Canadian province of Ontario after a bat flew into the child's bedroom.

As health officials quoted by the BBC reported, the parents did not notice wounds and scratches on the child's body, leading to the infant contracting rabies.

The child was taken to the hospital too late, which meant the rabies vaccine could not be administered in time. According to Canadian authorities, this is the first national case of rabies in humans in Ontario since 1967.

"It's extremely important that anyone who has a form of exposure [to bats] seeks medical attention," said Dr. Malcolm Lock from the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit, adding that treatment and vaccination should be sought quickly, even if bite marks are not immediately visible.

Doctors have not disclosed the age or gender of the child but emphasised that, according to the World Health Organization, rabies is a disease that can cause severe damage to the brain and spinal cord, almost always leading to death once symptoms appear.

According to Health Canada, the Canadian government's health department, human rabies cases in the country are rare. Since reporting began in 1924, 28 rabies cases have been recorded in six provinces, all of which were fatal.