2 contract rabies, slip into coma in Mumbai

Despite completing the injection course required to prevent rabies, a person was found to be infected at major city hospital, while another got it because he didn’t complete the vaccination process. Both of them have slipped into coma.

Doctors say that after a dog bite, the patient should complete the injection course and immediately go for an antibody titre test to check if enough anti-genes have been produced in the body.

Experts also feel that there should be more awareness on rabies as many people do not complete the vaccination course and risk their life in the process. 

Dr Abhay Chowdhary, director, Haffkine institute for training, research and testing, Parel said, “Rabies injections are 99% effective. In some cases, an individual with an immunity level that is not very strong can get the infection even after completing the injection course. Sometimes, patients do not respond to vaccination.”

Talking about the need to have more awareness on rabies, Dr Om Shrivastav, infectious diseases specialist, Jaslok hospital said, “Getting a rabies infection after completing the vaccination course is very rare. What is worrying is people’s attitude towards rabies. Most of the time, patients delay treatment. There are others who do not complete the vaccination course. They need to understand that dog bites have to be taken seriously.”

In India, according to WHO estimates, the number of human deaths resulting from rabies infection, is approximately 1.7 to 3.3 per 1,00,000 inhabitants (approximately 25,000 - 30,000 deaths per annum).