Tura, Feb 1: The first case of death caused by rabies has been reported from West Garo Hills after a 14 year old boy who was bitten by a stray dog in December developed symptoms and passed away in the first week of January, this year.

This is the second case of death from rabies in the district in the last six months, highlighting the importance of vaccination in cases of animal bites, particularly dog bites.

The teenage victim identified as Samim Islam of Charbatapara II village under Phulbari hospital jurisdiction had been bitten by a stray dog in his village on 15th of December, last year.

The dog was found dead in the village, a week after it had bitten Samim.

But sadly, he did not inform his parents or family members about the dog attack, nor was aware of the medical procedure to immediately wash the wound with soap under running water and seek Anti Rabies Vaccination or ARV.

According to his family members, he started developing symptoms such as fear of water on the 1st of January, this year.

The young boy further began experiencing vomiting, aerophobia, muscle spasm, hydrophobia or fear of water, nausea, anxiety, dysphagia, delerium and aggressiveness.
Four days later, on 5th January, the family took him to Guwahati Medical College Hospital where he became unresponsive.

He was clinically confirmed by GMCH doctors as having been infected by rabies and he tragically passed away the same evening.

Although death occured on 5th January, the information on the demise from rabies was passed on to the district surveillance unit of West Garo Hills after several days of the occurance of death.

The district surveillance unit of West Garo Hills supported by NISHTHA-jhpiego surveillance team and also a team from Phulbari Community Health Centre hospital have begun a joint investigation into the case.

All close family members of the victim have now been referred for anti rabies vaccination and awareness drives are being carried out in the village and nearby areas, particularly the family members and neighbours of the deceased, on the importance of anti rabies vaccination and steps to be taken in case of a dog bite.

In August, last year, a 12 year old boy from Dachimagre under Rongram block, not far from Tura, lost his life to rabies after he was bitten by a rabid dog in the village.

The boy, along with his younger sister had been bitten on the hand by the dog in the month of June.

Since the younger sister sustained considerable injuries, and hailing from a poor family, anti rabies vaccination was administered only for her.

She survived but her elder brother developed symptoms in the first week of August and despite hospitalization in Tura could not be saved.

Surveillance teams in Garo Hills are strongly recommending for raising awareness about dog bites and the steps to be taken in case of attacks.

They are also urging for sensitization among communities that regardless of the size of the scratch or bite wounds, any scratch or wound caused by a rabid dog will always lead to rabies if anti rabies vaccination is not given on time.

There is also a strong need for intersectoral coordination between health department and the Animal Husbandry Veterinery Department in order to tackle rabies in an effective way.

Read: Towards a greener Meghalaya: Conrad launches waste collection e-vehicles for Khasi-Jaintia Hills

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