Every dog bite not rabies | As per NMC data, more than 10 dog bites are reported daily in city. But every dog bite doesn’t cause rabies
Risk factor | Bite by a dog whose vaccine history unknown or by a dog acting erratically or appears to be sick a cause of worry
Vaccine must | Post dog bite, doctors recommend rabies immunoglobulin, an injection made up of antibodies against the rabies virus. Don’t avoid it as rabies is confirmed death
Cases reported | According to divisional health office, Nagpur district has reported 1,052 rabies cases between January 2017 and August 2021; two patients died in hospital
100% fatal | As per GMCH officials, there is no medicine on rabies and admitting patient doesn’t help. Such patients are not hospitalized, means they apparently die at home
Preventive steps | Vaccinate pets, stay away from wildlife and seek medical care before symptoms start after potential exposure
100% preventable | Don’t hesitate to take vaccine. Rabies is potentially fatal but 100% preventable if immediate medical treatment is received
Standard format | Vaccines are given on the day of bite; 3rd, 7th, 11th and 21st day. Completing the course is important. Doctors may advise two more shots depending on the case
Kids vulnerable | As kids are short in height, dogs can bite their neck and face from where the virus can travel towards brain in a very short span. Keeping kids protected is must
# Confirmed cases of in Nagpur division from Jan 2017 to Aug 2021
District ————- Cases
Nagpur ————- 1,052
Gadchiroli ————187
Wardha—————-104
Chandrapur ————98
Gondia——————50
Bhandara —————32
Total ——————1,523
(Though not officially recorded, patients must have died of rabies as there is no cure)
EXPERTS SPEAK
Rabies virus behaves strangely. If the bite is on leg, it takes weeks for virus to travel up to your brain. Once it reaches brain, it multiplies rapidly and spreads though saliva. Preventive medicine is the only option
Dr Nitin Shinde | Infectious disease specialist
Identifying a rabid dog is difficult during initial days as it starts showing symptoms only when virus reaches brain. If dog is running away from water (hydrophobia), develops facial paralysis or is always trying to bite, it’s a case of rabies
Dr Tejas Wankhade | Veterinarian