Little boy died after scratching from bat to rabies

Rabies: 6-year-old boy dies after bat scratching

In Florida, a 6-year-old boy died after being infected by rabies scratching a bat. Also in this country was warned in the past, such animals with bare hands to touch.

Six-year-old dies after rabies infection

A few days ago, six-year-old Ryker R. died in the Orlando, Florida, Florida hospital after a rabies infection. According to media reports, the boy had been infected by the scratch of a bat. However, his father had not brought him to the clinic until days later because he obviously did not recognize the danger. Quick medical intervention might have saved the 6-year-old's life.

In the US, a small boy died from a rabies infection. The six-year-old was apparently infected by the scratch of a bat. (Image: Geza Farkas / fotolia.com)

Tens of thousands dead each year

Rabies is still considered one of the most dangerous infectious diseases worldwide.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, between 50,000 and 60,000 people die every year from the preventable disease. In Germany, it has been largely eradicated for several years.

Only in bats, the virus could be detected in this country in recent years, which is why experts warn that they never touch the animals with their bare hands.

However, the disease is still prevalent in many countries in Africa and Asia.

According to health experts, the viruses are almost always transmitted through scratches or bites by dogs or other infected mammals.

In Ryker R., the scratch of a bat caused the infection.

Scratch of a bat

The boy's father, Henry R., told NBC News that he had found an injured bat, put it in a bucket and told his son not to touch it.

But the little one did not seem to keep it: "Well, obviously he put his hand in there and touched her and he said that it scratched him," said the father.

He continued, "So I googled quickly and found that I had to wash his hands with soap and hot water for five minutes."

But this "treatment" was not enough. However, according to a report in the newspaper Orlando Sentinel, parents did not bring their son to the doctor because he was afraid of a possible injection.

Special treatment did not succeed

A week later, however, the boy complained of numb fingers and headaches. His father initially thought he had hit his head while playing and brought him to Orlando Hospital.

There, Henry R. recalled the bat and he told the doctors. "These searched frantically for the other medics to tell them that it was a bat and how serious the situation was. And then everyone came in, "said the father, according to the portal" Today ".

"We had a conference and they told me that the infection is almost always fatal."

Although Ryker R. received a special treatment at the Orlando Hospital that has so far saved two children in the US and a total of 18 people worldwide, she did not help with the 6-year-old.

The boy died of rabies infection.

There is no cure for rabies

If there is a bite or scratch, the site must be thoroughly cleaned and a doctor should be consulted. When waiting to see if rabies symptoms appear, it is usually already too late for therapy.

An infection with the rabies pathogen is usually treated with an immediate active vaccine and with special antibodies (immunoglobulin). A preventive vaccine is also available.

There is no cure for rabies. While the disease does not break out in anyone who has become infected, it does end up nearly 100 percent deadly.

After an infection, uncharacteristic symptoms such as headache and loss of appetite first occur. Fever does not occur in all.

Also, burning, itching and increased sensitivity to pain in the bite area are possible. At this stage, it may already be too late for treatment.

Later, it comes to cramping in the throat muscles and considerable fear of drinking. The mental state of the patients alternates between aggressive and depressive moods.

"Death usually occurs in a coma and under the signs of respiratory paralysis. Between the onset of the first symptoms and death are in untreated patients a maximum of 7 days, "writes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on its website.

Years can pass until the onset of the disease

"As a rule, the incubation period is three to eight weeks.

In some cases, it may even take several years for the disease to break out, "explained Professor Dr. med. Tomas Jelinek, Scientific Director of the CRM Center for Travel Medicine in a Communication.

The expert reminds you to always consider the risk of rabies in long-distance travel and to get vaccinated beforehand if necessary. (Ad)