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Bat Exposure Prompts Immediate Rabies Shots After Child Death

7/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Health officials say any direct bat contact requires immediate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis even without bite or scratch.
Bats cause most North American human rabies cases, making prompt prophylaxis nearly 100 % effective.
An 11-year-old boy in Ontario died of rabies 17 days after a bat landed on his face.
In Wisconsin, a 6-year-old girl began a four-dose rabies vaccine series after a bat bite tested positive for rabies.

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Story summary

Health officials say any direct bat contact requires immediate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis even without bite or scratch.
Bats cause most North American human rabies cases, making prompt prophylaxis nearly 100 % effective.
An 11-year-old boy in Ontario died of rabies 17 days after a bat landed on his face.
In Wisconsin, a 6-year-old girl began a four-dose rabies vaccine series after a bat bite tested positive for rabies.