A six-year-old girl from Wisconsin is recovering after experiencing a frightening encounter with a rabid bat while playing outside her family’s home. The incident took place on Tuesday, June 23, in the small village of Tigerton, where young Cece Kale was climbing a tree.
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The harrowing event has elicited deep concern from her family and the local community. Cece’s mother, Elizabeth Kale, expressed her fear during a recent interview. “It’s terrifying,” she said, recalling the initial moments after the bat attacked her daughter. “You know, you have all the thoughts run through your head of like, ‘What if I bury my child?’”
Eyewitness accounts detail how the bat became entangled around Cece’s leg as she screamed for help. In a sudden display of bravery and desperation, one of her brothers intervened, using a makeshift sword to remove the bat, which was ultimately killed. Cece later recounted, “I tried to scream and scream and scream until they [her family] came,” according to reports from ABC affiliate WBAY.
Following the attack, the bat was confirmed to be rabid on Thursday. This led to Cece receiving the first of a series of rabies vaccinations, crucial in preventing the potentially fatal disease that rabies can cause. Public health officials, following the incident, emphasised the need for immediate medical attention in similar cases.
Nick Mao, a health officer with the Shawano-Menominee County Health Department, confirmed that rabid bats are quite uncommon in the region. “This incident marks one of the first rabid bats discovered in the county in at least a year,” he said. Mao cautioned the public on the importance of proper response if bitten. He recommended washing the wound with soap and water immediately and then seeking medical assistance without delay.
Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also remind the public about the risks associated with bats. They advise against touching bats and highlight that bat bites can often be small and not easily detectable. If an individual is bitten or scratched, immediate cleaning of the area with soap and water, followed by medical consultation, is crucial.
Elizabeth shared her feelings of dread and worry when confronted with the implications of rabies. “It’s, it’s terrifying. You know, you have all the thoughts run through your head of like, ‘What if I bury my child?’” This sentiment illustrates the sheer panic that can arise in such traumatic situations.
As Cece continues her recovery, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by wildlife, particularly in areas where rabies is a concern. The swift action taken by her family, along with the prompt medical response, has helped ensure that she is receiving the treatment necessary to safeguard her health.
Local health officials continue to urge the community to stay vigilant, especially in rural areas where encounters with wildlife could be more frequent. It is essential for families to educate their children on the importance of avoiding wild animals and understanding the necessary steps to take in the event of a bite or scratch.