VEMBAYAM: An eight-year-old boy at Vembayam died of rabies on Friday due to the utter negligence and superstition of his parents.
The victim is Abhishek (8), the second son of Vembayam Thalekkunnu Noory Acre Pinarum Kuzhi house resident and daily wage worker Manikuttam and Reena. He was a student of Thalayil L P School.
The end came at 3 a m. About two weeks ago he started showing symptoms like reluctance to drink water and being scared to come out in the light. The parents thought he was affected by spirit and took him to a black magician to get him exorcised. But he again started showing discomfort. He jutted out his tongue and showed restlessness. Two days ago they took him to Nedumangadu Taluk hospital. Though doctor prescribed blood test, the parents again took him to the black magician. On Thursday the boy was taken to Kanyakulangara hospital after froth appeared in his mouth. The doctor there referred him to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College but the parents again took him to the black magician. Though the child was again rushed to Kanyakulangara hospital, he died in the hospital. The doctors confirmed it to be a case of rabies infection.
Interestingly, the parents are clueless about how he got infected. They said he used to mingle with dogs and a month ago a street dog died on the premises of his house. None others in the areas showed any symptom of rabies infection.
Coming to know about the incident, a medical team led by the district medical officer reached the place and gave anti-rabies vaccination to 15 people in the area.