The incident in Ontario, Canada, occurred in 2024, but is now being highlighted in a newly published study.
Because the parents could not see any bite or scratch marks, they did not seek medical attention for their son, according to the study. About three weeks later, he began to experience numbness and swelling in his face.
The boy then rapidly deteriorated: high fever, confusion, hallucinations and difficulty swallowing. Just over two weeks after being hospitalized, he died of rabies.
The researchers behind the study urge the public to seek medical attention after contact with bats.
