Key Takeaway:
- A 6-year-old girl in Shawano County is recovering after a rabid bat bit her while climbing a tree.
- She began the prescribed rabies vaccination series the same day, while her brothers helped stop the attack.
- Health officials urge anyone bitten by a wild animal to wash the wound immediately and seek prompt medical care.
A 6-year-old girl in rural Shawano County is recovering after a rabid bat bites girl incident while she climbed a tree, her family said, prompting immediate rabies treatment and renewed health warnings about wild animal bites.
Family acts quickly after bat attack
The girl, identified by her family as Cece Kale, was bitten while climbing a tree in her rural community in Shawano County. Family members said her brothers acted quickly during the incident, with one using a makeshift sword to kill the bat after the attack.
The bat later tested positive for rabies, according to the family’s account. Cece received the first of four prescribed rabies vaccine doses the same day as the bite, reducing the risk of developing the disease after exposure.
“It’s terrifying,” Elizabeth Kale, the girl’s mother, said. “You have all the thoughts run through your head, like, ‘What if I bury my child?'”
The family said Cece is recovering after the Rabid Bat Bites Girl incident as she continues the recommended course of rabies vaccinations.
Health officials urge immediate medical care
Local health officials said anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention.
The Rabid Bat Bites Girl incident highlights why prompt medical treatment is critical, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. However, post-exposure treatment, including rabies vaccination, is highly effective when started quickly after a potential exposure.
Health officials said medical providers determine whether additional treatment, such as rabies immune globulin, is necessary based on the nature of the exposure and other clinical factors.
Rabies remains a public health concern
Bats are among the most common wildlife carriers of rabies in the United States. Public health agencies advise people never to handle bats or other wild animals, even if they appear injured or harmless.
Officials encourage parents to teach children to avoid direct contact with wildlife and to report any bites, scratches or unusual animal behavior to an adult immediately.
The Shawano County health department said rapid wound cleaning and prompt medical evaluation remain the best defenses against rabies following exposure to a potentially infected animal.
Health authorities continue to remind residents that any direct contact with a bat should be evaluated by a medical professional, even if the bite or scratch appears minor.
