Girl dies of rabies in Malappuram even after vaccine administered

KOZHIKODE: A five-and-a-half-year-old girl who was given anti-rabies vaccine after a stray dog bit her and was undergoing treatment died here on Tuesday. She has been identified as Siya Faris, daughter of Salman Faris of Malappuram Peruvallur Kakkathadam Cholakkal. She was on ventilator at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. She died at around 1:30 am. The body has been handed over to her relatives.

She was bitten by the stray dog on March 29 when she went to the shop to buy sweets. The girl, who sustained serious injuries on her head and legs, was first taken to the Tirurangadi Taluk Hospital. She was later taken to the Community Medicine Department of the Kozhikode Medical College and given IDRB vaccine. However, after she developed fever and showed symptoms of rabies, she was admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College's Maternal and Child Care Center on April 23rd. Dr Vijayakumar, Pediatric HoD of the Maternal and Child Care Center, said that rabies was confirmed on April 26th. The child was treated by a team led by Pediatric Second Unit Chief Dr Mohandas.

Five others were also bitten by a stray dog on the same day. Their health condition is satisfactory. Their blood samples will be tested again. Malappuram Deputy DMO Dr C Shubin said that if the child is bitten on the head, rabies can occur even if the vaccine is taken. Health experts said that this led to the death of the girl.