Latest news with #TetanusToxoid
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Vax shortage, closure of PHCs at noon leave city at risk of rabies
Chennai: The city, reeling under a surging stray dog population, is facing a rabies crisis. Yet, institutions intended to be the frontline against this deadly disease — primary health centres (PHCs) in the city and suburbs — are consistently inadequate. A TOI investigation uncovered shortages of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and unjustified closure at noon citing fears of "wastage". Worse, none of the PHCs had rabies immunoglobulin, which provides immediate antibodies to neutralise the virus at the wound site, particularly in severe bites. Staff nurses at two of the nine PHCs surveyed – Virugambakkam and Maduravoyal – said they had no stock of ARV vaccine. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "We can give a TT injection," a nurse at Virugambakkam PHC said. What she did not say was that Tetanus Toxoid is not a substitute for ARV and that the patient must take the vaccine at the next available centre as early as possible. Other PHCs at Perambur, Royapettah, T Nagar, Valasaravakkam, and Avadi turned away patients who reached the centres after noon. Almost all staff at these centres said the vaccination is done only between 9am and noon. The multi-dose vaccine vials should be discarded within up to six hours of opening, they said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo Kundrathur was the only PHC where the vaccine was available throughout the day. Experts said PHCs that do not have the vaccine in stock must either offer them at people's doorstep through the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme or take them to the nearest hospital where the vaccine is available. Anti-rabies vaccines are incredibly effective, but factors such as delays can make them redundant, said infectious diseases expert Dr Subramaniam Swaminathan. "When the staff offer Tetanus Toxoid or a less effective vaccine instead of directing the patients to the nearest facility, patients may assume it is not serious," he said. Studies by the directorate of public health also showed most people think dog bites cannot give them rabies, and some assume that bleeding injuries are safe as virus will wash off with the blood. "Many people skip vaccinations if they see the wound heal or if they don't see visible wounds, both of which are wrong. If there is a two-day delay, starting the vaccine with immunoglobulin may be effective," Dr Subramaniam added. However, none of the PHCs stock immunoglobulin. Senior officials in the health department, including director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayagam, said they have repeatedly asked people to get themselves vaccinated against rabies for all animal bites at the nearest PHCs. "All people infected by rabies in the state have either skipped vaccination or have not completed the course," he said. Earlier, health minister Ma Subramanian had told reporters that PHCs and CHCs (Community Health Centers) have also been instructed to maintain a round-the-clock supply of ARVs, with a minimum stock of 20 vials.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Man dies by suicide at GRH rabies ward
A 25-year-old man allegedly killed himself at the rabies isolation ward at Government Rajaji Hospital during early hours of Saturday. According to the police, A. Balamurugan, a resident of Avaniyapuram, was bitten by a cat at his house about two months ago. Instead of treating the bite, he had injected Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine from a nearby clinic, the police added. While it appeared like he was getting cured, recently, about a week ago, he displayed weird symptoms like hesitancy to water (hydrophobia), difficulty in breathing, fever, among others, the police added. Following this, he was admitted to a private hospital here. As the doctors confirmed the presence of rabies virus in his body, they sent him to GRH, the police added. In a precarious condition, he was taken to the rabies ward of GRH. As he turned violent due to the infection, he was put in the isolated rabies ward on the hospital premises, GRH doctors said. The hospital staff found him dead inside the cell early morning. 'The preliminary investigation said due to unbearable pain and unstable mind, he killed himself,' they added. S. Saravanan, Resident Medical Officer, said though he died by suicide, it could not be assured that he could have been treated. 'As the virus has completely infected his body, he showed all the symptoms of rabies. Any treatment for the virus will not do good to treat the patient at this stage,' he added. Dr. Saravanan said that for any animal bite, administering the anti-rabies vaccine as a precautionary measure to protect oneself from the virus was a must. 'Even when a person is badly injured by any animal bite, notwithstanding the seriousness of the injury, the person could be saved from getting infected by the virus,' he pointed out. While post mortem would not be usually performed on the deceased died of rabies virus infection due to the possibility of the spread of virus, in this case, as the patient died of suicide, with necessary precautions, post mortem was performed, he added. As per the procedure, the mortal remains were handed over to Madurai Corporation for doing the final rites, he said. (Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State's health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050 and Speak2Us helpline at 9375493754.)
