A 6-year-old girl dey recover after rabid bat bite her outside her Wisconsin home. Her brother kill the animal with homemade ‘Braveheart’-inspired sword, family and health officials say.
Cecilia ‘Cece’ Kale dey play for tree in front of her Tigerton home, about 60 miles west of Green Bay, when bat attack her left thigh. Her brothers, Nicklas, 11, and Camden, 16, jump into action to remove the bat and kill am with homemade blade. Their mother, Elizabeth Kale, tell NBC News, ‘And here comes Camden and he’s like, ‘No! Cece!’ and then Nicklas grabs it, and he just starts killing the thing.’ Nick make the homemade sword that day, inspired by movie ‘Braveheart.’
Bat test positive for rabies. Family consent for Cece to receive lifesaving shots less than 48 hours after attack, even though dem oppose mandated immunizations. Elizabeth Kale say she grateful for doctors and county health officials wey patiently explain treatment plan. Rabies nearly 100% fatal if left untreated, but almost certainly nonfatal with series of five shots.
Nick Mau, health officer for Shawano-Menominee County Health Department, confirm attack and estimate say dem deal with about one rabid bat attack on human each year. ‘This one’s getting all the attention because a young individual was exposed to a bat that did indeed test positive,’ Mau say. He add say dem regularly interact with patients wey dey hesitant to receive vaccines and other medical treatments.
Despite painful shot, Cece still love to play outside and no dey fazed by attack. Her mother say, ‘She’s just so brave and has a stronger constitution than the rest of us.’ Elizabeth Kale say she no go stop her eight children from enjoying outdoors despite bat population.
Cece get first of series of four rabies shots same day bat confirm positive. Until 2004, rabies considered almost always fatal. One patient, Jeanna Giese from Fond du Lac, become first person to survive symptomatic rabies without vaccine. She receive ‘Milwaukee Protocol’ and after 31 days, she declare virus-free.
In Lenawee County, bat wey find for Adrian test positive for rabies, first confirmed case in 2026. Health department advise people to avoid contact with bats, clean bite area with soap and water, and call doctor or emergency room right away. Pet owners encouraged to vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies.
