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6-Year-Old Bitten by Rabid Bat While Climbing Tree Near Tigerton Home

Local health officials framed the case as a reason to urge residents to clean wounds, seek care quickly, keep captured animals for testing when safe, vaccinate pets.

6-year-old Cecelia Kale, of Tigerton, Wisconsin, is receiving a series of shots as part of the rabies vaccine after she was bitten by a rabid bat June 23 while climbing a tree in her family's front yard.
Close-up stock image of a bat.
Silver-haired Bat taken in southern MN
Image

Overview

  • The girl, Cecilia “Cece” Kale, was bitten on June 23 when a bat wrapped its wings around her leg while she climbed a tree at her family’s Tigerton property and her older brothers removed and killed the animal.
  • The family brought the bat to authorities and the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department confirmed within 48 hours that the animal tested positive for rabies.
  • Cece began post-exposure prophylaxis shortly after the positive test, with her mother saying the family — who generally opposes mandated immunizations — consented to the life-saving shots.
  • Health officials said this is the county’s first confirmed rabid bat in 2026 and reminded residents that rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms begin but that prompt vaccine treatment after exposure is nearly 100% effective.
  • The family plans to vaccinate their barn cats and health officials expect the case will prompt renewed local outreach on bite care, safe capture for testing, and keeping pets up to date on rabies shots.