NEED TO KNOW
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A 6-year-old girl in Wisconsin was bitten by a rabid bat while climbing a tree near her family’s home.
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The event took place on Tuesday, June 23, in the village of Tigerton.
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Cece Kale’s mother, Elizabeth, expressed her fear, saying, “It’s terrifying. You know, you have all these thoughts running through your head about, ‘What if I bury my child?’ ”
A 6-year-old girl is recovering after a rabid bat bite in Wisconsin.
Cece Kale was outside her family’s Tigerton home when the incident occurred, according to various news sources.
The bat clung to her leg as she cried for help, reports indicate.
Cece recounted, “I tried to scream and scream and scream until they [her family] came.”
One of her brothers managed to kill the bat with a makeshift sword.
Elizabeth, Cece’s mother, remembered the horror of the situation, noting how Cece struggled to get the words out, finally shouting, “There’s a bat!”
On Thursday, it was confirmed that the bat had rabies, and Cece began her first of four rabies shots that same day.
The mother reflected on her fears, stating, “I think when you realize your child probably has an ancient virus that’s 100% fatal… it’s terrifying. You have all these thoughts running through your head about, ‘What if I bury my child?’”
The event was one of the first rabid bats found in the county in at least a year.
Nick Mao, a health officer, advised that if someone is bitten, it’s crucial to clean the area with soap and water and contact a doctor immediately.
He also pointed out that rabid bats are quite rare.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding contact with bats, as their bites can be tiny and barely noticeable. If someone is bitten or scratched, they should wash the wound and seek medical attention promptly.
