Condition of girl in Pathanamthitta remains critical even after giving three doses of anti-rabies vaccine

PATHANAMTHITTA: The condition of a 12-year-old girl who is on ventilator after being attacked by a stray dog remains critical. Although the child shows symptoms of rabies, it is not confirmed whether she was infected with rabies.

Abhiram, daughter of Harish of Ranni Perunad, is on ventilator support at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital. A medical board was formed by coordinating various departments under the leadership of the director of medical education on the instructions of Minister Veena George the other day. The board meets periodically and assesses the health condition of the child. The doctors confirmed that the child's brain has been infected with the virus.

However, whether it is the same virus that is associated with rabies remains to be determined. The child's body fluids have been sent to a virology lab in Pune. The explanation is that it can be confirmed only after getting the results from the lab.

The girl was bitten by a dog on the road when she went to buy milk from her neighbour’s house in the morning on August 13. The dog bit her on her face, eyes, neck and legs. She was taken to Pathanamthitta General Hospital and was given three doses of vaccine. The fourth one has to be given on September 10. Meanwhile, her health deteriorated on Friday. The child could not even stand up without taking food and water. She was again brought to Pathanamthitta General Hospital. She was later shifted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Abhirami is a seventh class student of Mylapra Sacred Heart School.

Meantime, the relatives demand an inquiry into the child's deteriorating health despite three doses of the vaccine. Abhirami's relatives said there is doubt about the quality of the medicine.