Rabies: 100 percent fatal, 100 percent preventable
Srinagar, Jan 21: In a heart-breaking reminder of the importance of timely Anti-Rabies Vaccination, another person succumbed to rabies in Kashmir, marking the fourth such death since 2023. The latest victim's demise could have been prevented had he sought immediate medical attention and vaccination after being bitten by a dog.
According to State Surveillance Officer, Dr Samina Gul, three people lost their lives to rabies in 2023 and 2024, including a woman and two men aged 30 and 58, respectively. Today's tragic event underscores the need for greater awareness and urgency in seeking medical help after an animal bite or close contact that results in contact with animal’s saliva or a person breaches skin.
Rabies is a notifiable disease, and Anti-Rabies Vaccines (ARV) are readily available in every district of Kashmir. Despite this, lives continue to be lost due to delayed or lack of vaccination. Rabies infection causes painful death in 100 percent of individuals who do not get vaccinated as per the World Health Organization.
Health experts emphasize that rabies deaths are entirely preventable if individuals receive prompt medical attention and vaccination after an animal bite or exposure. "It's crucial to seek medical help immediately after a dog or cat bite or close contact with an any animal," said Dr. S Saleem Khan, HoD Social and Preventive Medicine, GMC Srinagar. "Delaying medical attention can prove fatal, as we've seen in this latest case."
The latest victim's case history seemed to suggest that he was bitten by a dog and did not reveal his injury and the nature of it to his family which led to delayed medical attention. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and prompt action in the face of animal bites.