June 30, 2026, 9:36 p.m. ET
A 6-year-old girl is receiving rabies treatment after being bitten by a rabid bat near her home in Wisconsin. This incident has prompted local health officials to stress the importance of avoiding contact with wild animals and being aware of rabies safety.
Cecelia Kale was climbing a tree in her family’s front yard in Tigerton, Wisconsin, around 8 p.m. on June 23 when the bat bit her leg, according to her family. Tigerton is a small rural village located approximately 60 miles west of Green Bay.
Her mother, Elizabeth Kale, noted that Cecelia typically climbs trees daily. While sitting on the porch, Elizabeth saw her daughter seemingly frozen in fear.
“She was just one branch up and completely still,” Kale recalled. “I thought she was trying to say, ‘It’s a bee!’ but she couldn’t get the words out. That’s when we knew something wasn’t right.”
Eventually, Cecelia screamed that there was a bat on her leg. Elizabeth, joined by her two older sons, rushed to help. Her sons, ages 11 and 16, managed to knock the bat off and kill it.
After taking Cecelia to the emergency room, they brought the bat for testing. Within 48 hours, the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department confirmed the bat had rabies, leading to Cecelia receiving her first of four rabies vaccine shots.
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system in mammals and is almost always fatal if untreated. Medical experts recommend immediate care for anyone who might have been exposed to rabies.
Health Officials Urge Precautions
A June 25 release from the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department confirmed that a bat in Shawano County tested positive for rabies.
Nick Mau, the health officer for the department, mentioned that this was the first confirmed rabies case in the counties for 2026. Typically, they see about one confirmed case in wild animals each year.
Mau added that bites to humans are not the usual way these cases are discovered. More frequently, rabid animals are reported following exposure to pets or when bats found in homes are tested.
He advised residents, particularly those in wildlife-rich areas, to be informed about rabies risks.
“It’s important to educate children. Wild animals can be really cute, but we should be cautious around them,” he said. “Always assume any animal could carry a disease like rabies. We can appreciate wildlife from safe distances.”
For the Kale family, this incident has highlighted the need for increased safety awareness. Elizabeth shared that they are now more vigilant about bats near their property and plan to vaccinate their barn cats against rabies.
She also encouraged parents experiencing similar scares not to hesitate in asking questions when visiting doctors.
Despite the painful injections, Cecelia has handled her rabies vaccine appointments remarkably well. “She’s really brave,” Elizabeth noted.
Understanding Rabies
Rabies is a preventable yet fatal viral disease primarily impacting the central nervous system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can result in severe brain damage and even death in both humans and animals.
Commonly found in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, rabies can infect any mammal. The virus is typically transmitted through saliva via open wounds or mucous membranes. It can also spread through contact with infected animal tissue.
In the U.S., human rabies cases are rare, with fewer than 10 deaths reported annually, most caused by exposure to infected bats.
Vaccination is key to protecting pets and humans from rabies, according to the Mayo Clinic. People usually receive the vaccine after potential exposure, although those in high-risk situations might get it beforehand.
If administered promptly after exposure, the rabies vaccine boasts nearly 100% efficacy in preventing the disease. Once symptoms arise, rabies is almost always fatal, though a few individuals have survived without the vaccine.
Preventing Rabies Spread
To avoid rabies transmission, the CDC emphasizes the importance of not engaging with wildlife. Individuals should refrain from approaching sick or injured wild animals, including those active during the day, like bats and raccoons.
In case of a wild animal-related issue, contacting animal control is recommended.
Pet owners can minimize rabies exposure risk by ensuring their pets are up to date on vaccinations and limiting contact with wildlife.
The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department advises anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal to promptly wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention. If safely possible, individuals should hold the animal until consulting the health department.
