A fatal case of rabies in a child in Ontario

In the province of Ontario in Canada, a child tragically died of rabies. This death was confirmed by local authorities after the discovery of a bat in the victim’s room, this animal being suspected of having transmitted the infection.

This is the first human case of rabies reported in this region since 1967. The death of the child, whose age remains confidential, took place on October 2. Malcolm Lock, a local doctor, said exposure to the virus likely occurred in early September.

Despite being transferred to hospital, the child could not be saved. Notably, the parents of the young victim noted no apparent bite marks or traces of saliva, making the contamination all the more worrying.

According to Dr. Lock, rabies in bats is experiencing a worrying increase in the province, with statistics showing a jump from less than 10% to 16% of animals infected with the virus in recent years. This trend alarms health authorities.