6-Year-Old Bitten by Rabid Bat While Climbing Tree in Wisconsin
A six-year-old girl in Tigerton, Wisconsin was bitten by a rabid bat on June 23 and began a series of rabies vaccinations, while health officials emphasized proper wound care and prompt medical attention.
A six-year-old girl was bitten by a bat that was later confirmed to be rabid while climbing a tree outside her home in Tigerton, Wisconsin, on June 23. The animal wrapped its wings around the child's leg, and she screamed for help before family members intervened. One of her brothers killed the bat with a makeshift weapon, according to local reports.
The child received the first of a four-dose rabies post-exposure prophylaxis series on the day of the incident. Health officials noted that rabid bats are rare in the area, with this being one of the first confirmed cases in the county in over a year.
Nick Mao, a health officer with the Shawano-Menominee County Health Department, advised that anyone bitten by a bat should clean the wound with soap and water and seek medical care immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends avoiding contact with bats and seeking urgent medical attention if bat saliva or tissue contacts an open wound or mucous membranes.