Tura, Aug 12: A horrifying case of death due to a rabid dog bite has come to the fore from West Garo Hills, which has brought to notice the need for immediate medical attention and rabies vaccinations in case of potential rabies exposure.

Rabies has 100 percent mortality. If the victim is not given the vaccination on time, the result can be fatal.

According to a case received by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), West Garo Hills District, the victim, a 12-year-old boy from Dachimagre, Rongram Block, West Garo Hills, was admitted to Tura MCH on August 8, 2023, displaying symptoms including hydrophobia, extremity spasms, and neck rigidity. Despite medical intervention, tragically, the patient passed away on August 10, 2023, merely a day after being discharged from the hospital.

According to reports obtained from the preliminary investigation, the young boy had been bitten by a dog in June 2023, with the bite occurring on his left hand. Rather than seeking proper medical attention, the family chose to employ a local traditional remedy involving medicinal plants to treat the wound. This decision ultimately led to a lack of post-exposure prophylaxis, such as rabies vaccinations, which could have potentially prevented the development of the disease.

Unfortunately, this heartbreaking incident is not an isolated occurrence. The same rabid dog had bitten both the victim’s aunt and younger sister, leading to varying outcomes. The younger sister, due to the severity of the bite wound, received the necessary rabies vaccination. In contrast, the patient’s aunt did not undergo vaccination and also resorted to the use of local traditional treatment methods.

The dog responsible for the bites was euthanized in June 2023 after being confirmed as rabid.

Following the case, health authorities have stressed that rabies is a grave and often fatal disease, with symptoms becoming apparent once it is too late for effective treatment. Prompt post-exposure prophylaxis, including rabies vaccinations and immune globulin injections, can be highly effective in preventing the disease’s progression if administered shortly after exposure.

Further investigations into the circumstances surrounding this case are currently underway, with health officials aiming to raise awareness about the significance of timely medical intervention following potential rabies exposure.

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