6 days ago
50-year-old dies in Madhya Pradesh, fifth victim of mysterious animal bite
BARWANI: A 50-year-old man from Limbai village in the Rajpur subdivision of Barwani district died on Sunday after being bitten by an unknown animal, becoming the fifth person to succumb to such an incident within a week.
The incident has prompted the district administration to order an investigation into the efficacy of the anti-rabies vaccine administered to the victims.
The deceased, Chain Singh Umrao, died at MY Hospital in Indore, where he had been receiving treatment. Four other victims died earlier in the week under similar circumstances.
The incident dates back to May 5, when 17 villagers were bitten while sleeping outdoors by an unidentified animal believed to be rabid.
Health officials have said that villagers suspect a hyena is responsible for the attacks, though the forest department suspects the animal could have been a rabid dog.
Santosh, who lost her mother Saidi Bai, said, 'My mother was sleepin outside of the house when the animal bit her, we took her to the community health centre of Rajpur and brought back after treatment. After 20 days, her condition deteriorated and the doctor referred her to the district hospital where she died three days back.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Chief medical and health officer (CMHO) Dr. Surekha Jamre said, "Apart from giving anti-rabies injection (vaccine) to all the 17 people, immunoglobulin injections were also administered to boost the immunity of the more affected people but people have died after this as well.'
The district collector has ordered an enquiry into the anti-rabies vaccine, exploring the possibility of insufficient efficacy. Samples of the anti-rabies injection (vaccine) are being dispatched to a laboratory in Karauli, Himachal Pradesh.
District collector Guncha Sanobar said, 'The doctors of Indore have suspected rabies virus for deaths, however, the situation will become clearer once the viscera are tested in the virology lab. We will send anti-rabies injection vaccine for examination to find out if there is any lack of efficacy.'
Sanobar confirmed that all affected individuals received three doses of the anti-rabies vaccine in line with protocol.
Meanwhile efforts are ongoing to convince remaining patients to seek care in Indore, as some have refused to travel. A patient, Baliram, fled from the district hospital in Rajpur upon seeing a waiting ambulance for transport to Indore.
Officials reported that five patients are undergoing care at MY Hospital in Indore, while the remaining seven are being counselled to pursue better treatment in the city. Sanobar said cases for compensation to the families of the deceased are being prepared via the forest department or the CM Relief Fund.
The viscera, brain tissue, and biopsy reports of the deceased are being sent to the virology lab in Delhi for further analysis.
