The anti-rabies vaccination failed to protect three children in Kerala who died from rabies in the span of one month. Seven-year-old Niya Faisal died at the SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after becoming the most recent rabies victim of Kollam district. The stray dog bite occurred to her on April 8 before she completed all recommended doses of rabies vaccine.
Earlier, the Pathanamthitta district recorded a 12-year-old girl death on April 9 followed by a five-year-old girl in Malappuram lost on April 29 both after receiving vaccination. All three children obtained severe head and hand bites where numerous nerve endings that could speed up the virus spread.
Health Minister Veena George highlighted that Kerala’s hospitals administer only quality-tested vaccines, certified by the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kasauli. An expert committee formed in 2022 found that vaccinated individuals had adequate antibody levels, suggesting that the vaccines were effective.
Experts Suggest the Nature Of Injuries and Delay in Treatment Leads to Serious Consequences
Despite the quality of the vaccines, experts point to the nature of the injuries and delays in seeking treatment as critical factors. Upon experiencing a bite, the patients should immediately receive rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), which functions to eliminate the virus from their body. The effective window for rabies vaccine treatment will close when the virus reaches the nervous system because proper vaccination may not finish preventing infection. The improper way of cleaning wounds contributes to higher infection risks.
The state has reported 13 rabies deaths this year, with 10 victims not having received the vaccine. In 2024, 22 deaths were confirmed, and in 2023, 17. Experts advocate for heightened public awareness about the importance of immediate wound care and timely vaccination.
As Kerala grapples with this public health challenge, authorities are urged to strengthen awareness campaigns and ensure timely access to rabies immunoglobulin to prevent further tragedies.
