A 24-year-old man, Edwin Brian of Kuppatti village, has tragically died of rabies two months after being bitten by a dog near Hosur. The unfortunate demise underscores the critical importance of timely and complete medical intervention following animal bites.
According to a report, Brian had not received adequate medical treatment after the dog bite incident. As his condition worsened, he was admitted to the Hosur Government Hospital, where despite treatment efforts, he succumbed to the disease.
This incident comes in the wake of a rabies health advisory issued by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) after two children in Kerala died of rabies, even after receiving vaccinations. The DPH highlighted that fatalities, even among vaccinated individuals, often stem from delays in initiating post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), improper wound cleaning, skipping vaccine doses, or failing to complete the full vaccination schedule.
Health officials emphasize that immediate and thorough wound care is paramount after a dog bite. The affected area must be washed with soap and water for a minimum of 15 minutes. The state health department further advises that administering four doses of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) immediately after a dog bite can completely prevent rabies. This vaccine should be given on the first, third, seventh, and 28th day following the bite.