A four-year-old autistic boy died after being bitten by a rattlesnake because he was unable to tell anyone what had happened.

Non-verbal Italo Alves dos Santos had been playing at his grandmother's house in Equador city, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, on 21st May when the rattler bit his foot.

But despite the agony, Italo was unable to tell his family what had happened and simply pointed to his swollen ankle.

Italo Alves dos Santos, 4, poses in undated photo. He died after being bitten by a rattlesnake in the city of Equador, Brazil, May 22, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)

Fearing that he had twisted his ankle, Italo's relatives took him to hospital where medics scheduled an X-ray for the following day.

But when his condition worsened rapidly overnight his family rushed him to a major hospital 20 miles away in Santa Luzia, Paraiba state.

Medics immediately recognised signs of venom poisoning but tragically Italo was still unable to tell them what had bitten him.

Illustrative image shows a rattlesnake, undated. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)

When his fantic relatives searched the family home and found the rattler under a couch medics began anti-venom treatment.

But by then Italo was critically weakened and died on 22nd May.

Ecuador city hall said in a statement: "We deeply regret the loss of the little Italo and join the pain of their family and friends at this difficult time."

(MJ Leidig/newsX)