Ontario records first locally acquired rabies death since 1967 after bat encounter
An 11-year-old boy in Ontario died of rabies—the first locally acquired case there since 1967—after an encounter with a bat even though no bite was visible. Health professionals stress seeking immediate medical advice after any direct bat contact because post-exposure prophylaxis can prevent rabies, which is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. Testing the bat for rabies can guide public health actions, and the case underscores the unpredictable incubation period and the importance of early intervention.
