A young boy has died just three weeks after he woke up with a bat lying across his face.
Shortly after the incident, the 11-year-old was diagnosed with rabies — a deadly viral disease that is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.
No bite or scratch marks were visible on the youngster, who presented with rabies symptoms 19 days after the incident.
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Symptoms he suffered include vomiting, facial pins and needles, as well as numbness.
Other symptoms linked to the fatal disease include fever, headache, muscle spasms, and hallucinations.
Rabies has no cure as of yet. A trip to the emergency department led to the young boy receiving supportive care.
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The youngster has yet to be named; however, his family has agreed to share their story to raise awareness.
The fatality occurred in Ontario, Canada, and is the first to have happened in more than 50 years.
In Ireland, it has been more than 100 years since someone contracted rabies within the country, though there have been cases of fatalities of people who contracted the disease abroad.
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The HSE notes that the infection is rare but serious and spreads through mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, and foxes.
Infection can happen if you’re bitten, scratched, or spat on by an infected animal, or if an infected animal licks your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
Symptoms can take between three and 12 weeks to appear, but can also appear within a few days in some cases.
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The disease is found worldwide, but is extremely rare in Ireland. The most common parts of the world to find the disease are Asia, Africa, and Central/ South America.
The disease cannot be treated once symptoms appear, but vaccines are available.
People should consider getting the vaccine if they are travelling to another country; or are at risk of getting the disease through work.
The vaccine can also be administered in the case of potential exposure to rabies.