Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGraig GraziosiThursday 02 July 2026 09:06 BSTSon calls for more increased awareness of rabies following inquest into mother's deathAn 11-year-old boy tragically died from rabies after encountering a bat in northern Ontario, Canada, during the summer of 2024.The incident occurred when the boy woke to find a bat on his nose and mouth, but his parents were not immediately concerned as there were no visible bite marks.Nineteen days later, the boy developed severe symptoms including facial numbness, frequent vomiting, slurred speech, confusion, and visual hallucinations, leading to a rapid neurological decline.Doctors diagnosed him with rabies, marking the first case in the area since 1967, and despite two weeks of treatment, his condition deteriorated, leading to his death after being removed from life support.The case, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, aims to raise awareness that bat bites may not leave visible marks, emphasising the critical importance of early preventative treatment as rabies is almost universally fatal once symptoms manifest.In fullBoy, 11, had no visible wounds but died from rabies transmitted by batThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in