11-Year-Old Boy Dies of Rabies After Waking Up With Bat on Face

An 11-year-old boy died from rabies after waking up with a bat on his face, according to a report by De Telegraaf published July 2, 2026. The incident highlights the lethal nature of the rabies virus when transmitted via animal bites or scratches, particularly in cases where the exposure occurs during sleep.

The report states the child encountered the bat while asleep, leading to an infection that eventually proved fatal. Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear.

How does rabies transmission occur via bats?

Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, typically via a bite or a scratch that breaks the skin. According to the World Health Organization, bats are a primary reservoir for the virus in many regions. Because bat bites can be small and painless, individuals may not realize they have been bitten, especially if the encounter happens during sleep.

The virus travels from the site of the bite through the nerves to the brain. The incubation period—the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms—can vary from a few weeks to several years, though it typically lasts one to three months in humans.

What are the symptoms and progression of the virus?

Early symptoms of rabies often resemble the flu, including fever, headache, and general malaise. As the virus reaches the brain, it causes inflammation of the encephalon, leading to neurological symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease typically progresses in two forms: furious rabies and paralytic rabies. Furious rabies is characterized by hyperactivity, hydrophobia (fear of water), and confusion. Paralytic rabies leads to gradual muscle weakness and coma.

Once the clinical stage of the disease begins, the fatality rate is nearly 100%. The only way to prevent the disease after exposure is the immediate administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

How is rabies prevented after animal exposure?

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of a series of rabies vaccines and, in some cases, rabies immune globulin (RIG). This treatment must be started as soon as possible after the exposure to stop the virus from entering the nervous system.

Public health guidelines from the CDC and WHO recommend the following steps after a potential bat encounter:

• Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
• Seek medical attention immediately to determine if vaccination is necessary.
• If a bat is found in a room where a person was sleeping, the animal should be captured for testing if possible.

Medical professionals generally advise that any person who wakes up to find a bat in the room—even if no bite is visible—should be evaluated for PEP, as bat teeth are often too small to leave obvious marks.