Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start, according to the CDC.

Elizabeth Kale, the girl’s mother, said the bat was killed by her sons with a homemade “Braveheart”-inspired sword. Her daughter is now recovering.

Cecelia Kale was climbing a tree when the bat attacked, her family told the\u00a0Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start, according to the CDC.