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Bat bite victim identified

The victim of a fatal bat bite has now been identified.

The Vancouver Island man who contracted rabies from a bat has now been identified as 21-year-old Nick Major.

CTV News has learned that Major was returning from a trip to Tofino back in May.

He pulled over to the side of the road and when a bat flew near him he attempted to swat it away, that's when he was bitten or scratched.

Provincial health officers indicate it took six weeks for Major to die as a result of the infection.

"While the exposure, in this case, was on Vancouver Island, bats in all areas of B.C. are known to carry rabies," the health ministry said Monday evening.

Those who treated Major, including family and friends are now under observation as a precaution and will be treated should that be deemed necessary.

-with files from CTV News Vancouver Island

 



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