Lab results have confirmed rabies as the cause of death of an 11-year-old Chisinau boy two weeks ago. The tests have been carried out at a specialized laboratory of the Pasteur Institute in France.

The Moldovan Public Health Agency said the French Institute will also provide assistance with identifying the genotypes and strains of the rabies virus present in Moldova to prevent its proliferation.

The boy, hailing from the suburban town of Ciorescu, is said to have enjoyed the company of stray dogs. He was exposed to rabies after being scratched by one. When the boy’s family brought him to a hospital, the otherwise perfectly vaccine-preventable disease had already set in. He died a few days after being admitted.

Sanitary authorities warn the public to promptly see a doctor after being bitten by animals. In the first six months of this year, 20 rabid animals in 13 administrative units were reported.