Vaccine in time can avoid rabies death

Doctors say deaths due to the zoonotic disease because of the victims' failure to take vaccine on time or complete vaccination course. It's 100% preventable, but many neglect it due to lack of awareness

- SINDUJA JANE @ Chennai

The death of 22-year-old Brijesh Solanki, a state-level Kabaddi player and resident of Farana in Uttar Pradesh, from rabies recently has left many in shock. In Solanki's case, the player reportedly failed to take the vaccine after he was bitten by a puppy he had rescued from a drain weeks before. The death is a reminder of the need to raise awareness on taking anti-rabies vaccination after dog bites.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India is endemic for rabies, and accounts for 36% of rabies deaths globally. Although the true burden of rabies in India is not fully known, as per available information, it causes 18,000 to 20,000 deaths every year. About 30-60% of reported rabies cases and deaths in India occur in children under the age of 15 years, as bites that occur in children often go unrecognised and unreported.

Rabies death in humans is 100% preventable with vaccination, but many neglect it due to lack of awareness. The majority of them miss the vaccination schedule or don't take it at all, say doctors.