7-Month-Old Côme Attacked by Rat in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron

In the early hours between October 10 and October 11, 2026, a seven-month-old infant named Côme suffered severe facial injuries during a nocturnal rat attack at a home in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, Charente-Maritime, France 3 reported. The child’s father intervened after hearing cries, discovering the rodent biting the infant as the baby bled from approximately ten separate wounds on the face and ears.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• The seven-month-old infant sustained roughly ten bite wounds to the face and ears during the incident, requiring immediate emergency hospitalization in Rochefort.
• Attending medical staff ruled out rabies exposure, but initiated antibiotic therapy and a mandatory one-week monitoring period due to potential bacterial risks such as staphylococci, streptococci, and leptospirosis.
• The infant’s family attributed the local rodent proliferation to an abandoned, dilapidated neighboring house that has stood vacant for three years.

Physicians Treat Infant for Potential Bacterial Infections

Emergency services transported the injured infant to the hospital in Rochefort immediately following the attack. While the family doctor ruled out the possibility of rabies transmission, treating physicians placed the infant on a course of antibiotics to counter severe potential infections. According to medical assessments, wound contamination from rodent saliva or urine presents significant risks for staphylococcal and streptococcal bacterial strains, alongside leptospirosis.

Parents have been instructed to monitor the infant closely for a full week. Medical providers emphasized that any suspicious bleeding or swelling requires an immediate clinical evaluation.

Abandoned House Drives Rat Infestation into Neighborhood

The infant’s family reported that an abandoned house standing just meters from their residence has remained in severe disrepair for three years, driving a heavy concentration of rats into the immediate neighborhood. To address the ongoing hazard, the parents hired private professionals to disinfect their home at their own expense, though eradication efforts require time to take effect. The family continues to manage the household alongside two other young children amid ongoing safety concerns.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.