Woman treated for dog bite dies; tests to rule out rabies

Kozhikode: Another person who underwent treatment after being bitten by a dog has died despite being given the necessary vaccines.

The deceased has been identified as P. Chandrika, who is from Perambra. She was 53.

She was bitten in the face by a stray dog ​​on July 21. In addition to Chandrika, the dog had bitten eight others in the same area.

Chandrika was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital early last week after suffering some health problems but died at midnight on Saturday, sources said.

It is unclear whether rabies is the cause of death. Tests are underway to find out, the district doctor said.

If it is indeed rabies, it would be the second such death in the state in just two months.

In July, 19-year-old Sreelakshmi from Mangara in Palakkad died of rabies after being bitten by a dog while studying at university.

Sreelakshmi died despite being given four rounds of vaccinations.

Health Secretary Veena George then ordered an investigation after questions were asked about the effectiveness of the vaccine for rabies infection.

Rampant threat from stray dogs

The threat of stray dogs in Kerala never ends. In Vaikom, 10 people were bitten by a stray dog ​​in Chembu Panchayat on Saturday.

The dog was later run over by a vehicle when locals tried to capture him.

Those attacked worry if the stray dog ​​had rabies. Authorities have sent the dog’s carcass to the virology lab in Thiruvalla for testing.

On August 18, eight people were bitten by a stray dog ​​in Thalayolaparambu near Vaikom.