Kerala: Despite taking rabies jab, 6-year-old girl bitten by dog dies
Malappuram: In an unfortunate incident, a six-year-old girl receiving treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Kerala's Malappuram district died of rabies on Tuesday, a month after being bitten by a stray dog, despite having received preventive vaccination, family sources said.
Ziya Faris, a native of Peruvallur, was attacked by a stray dog on March 29 when she went out to buy sweets from a shop near her home.
According to the PTI report, she suffered critical injuries to her head, face, and legs and had been under treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in neighbouring Kozhikode district for several days.
She passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, according to family sources.
Her father, Faris, said Ziya was administered the anti-rabies vaccine and prescribed related medication at the medical college hospital soon after the attack.
Also Read:MP: Stray dog roams inside patient ward of Chhatarpur district hospital, probe ordered
Although she was discharged after receiving the vaccination, the girl developed a fever several days later and subsequently tested positive for rabies.
She was readmitted and had been in the intensive care unit (ICU) for the past few days before succumbing to the infection, her father said.
Doctors at the hospital said the deep injuries to her scalp might have allowed the virus to reach her brain, making the vaccine less effective.
"The girl had four severe, deep wounds on her scalp. When the head and face are affected, the virus can more easily reach the brain," one of the treating doctors told the media, reports PTI.
"If the infection has already entered the nervous system, we cannot guarantee that vaccination will be 100 per cent effective," the doctor added.
According to health authorities, seven other people were also bitten by the same stray dog on the same day. None of them has developed symptoms of rabies so far.
Also Read:Declared dead, Newborn's body mauled by stray dogs at UP hospital
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.