Tragic Rabies Death in Ontario: First Domestic Case Since 1967
In a shocking incident in Ontario, Canada, a child has died from rabies after coming into contact with a bat in their bedroom, as confirmed by health officials. Dr. Malcolm Lock of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit revealed the tragedy during a board meeting, noting that the exposure occurred in an area north of Sudbury.
The child, whose age has not been disclosed, reportedly awakened to find a bat in their room. Despite the parents’ failure to detect any bites or scratches, they did not seek vaccination for the child. This unfortunate case marks the first domestically-acquired human rabies death in Ontario since 1967.
Following the exposure earlier this September, the child was hospitalized but succumbed to the virus. Rabies is a rare yet fatal viral infection typically transmitted through contact with the saliva of infected animals, including bats, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons. The World Health Organization asserts that once symptoms manifest, rabies almost invariably leads to death.
Dr. Lock highlighted an alarming rise in rabies incidents among bats in southern Ontario, where the infection rate has jumped from under 10% to 16% in recent years. He underscored the critical need for immediate medical attention for anyone exposed to bats, emphasizing that vaccination should be pursued urgently, even when bite marks are not visible.
Health Canada reports that rabies cases among humans in Canada are exceedingly rare. Since 1924, there have been only 28 cases across six provinces, all ultimately fatal. Most of these cases result from bat exposure or contact with rabid animals in other countries.
In the United States, fewer than 10 rabies-related deaths occur annually, attributed to enhanced prevention measures. From 2009 to 2018, there were 25 documented cases, seven of which were contracted abroad. Similar to Canada, rabid bats are the primary source of rabies exposure in the U.S., which is prevalent in every state except Hawaii.
In the UK, all rabies cases recorded since 1902 have resulted from infections contracted overseas, with the last case occurring in 2018 after a traveler was bitten by a cat in Morocco.
This tragic incident in Ontario serves as a stark reminder of the importance of awareness and prevention regarding rabies exposure, particularly in areas where bats are prevalent.
