19-Year-Old Teen Dies Of Rabies One Month After Being Bitten By Neighbor's Dog

A 19-year-old woman who was bitten by her neighbor’s dog last month died while she was undergoing treatment for rabies in Palakkad, Kerala, India on Thursday, June 30.

The teen victim, identified only as Sreelekshmi, a Computer Application student at Nehru College in Coimbatore, was reportedly bitten by her neighbor's dog on May 30 as she was leaving home to commute to her college. After the incident, Sreelekshmi took all the necessary vaccinations, including the anti-rabies vaccine.

Sreelekshmi reportedly did not show any symptoms in the first few days. However, she later suddenly started experiencing several symptoms of rabies, including high fever, and had to be admitted to a private hospital for treatment. As her health condition deteriorated, she was transferred to Thrissur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Despite this, Sreelekshmi died at around 3 a.m. early morning on Thursday, the New Indian Express reported.

“Sreelakshmi had taken four anti-rabies vaccines after the incident. Still, she died,” said Sandeep, a relative of the victim.

Following the incident, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has sought a report from the director of health services. According to Veena George, a team led by the Palakkad district surveillance officer will soon be formed to investigate the tragic incident, NDTV reported.

Meanwhile, the victim's family members have expressed their concerns as the dog had bitten several other persons, including its owner. An elderly lady was also attacked and bitten by the same dog. However, she is in stable condition as of now.

In a similar but unrelated incident, a newborn baby was reportedly mauled to death in North Carolina by a stray pit bull that the child's family found on the streets and had only recently brought home, Latin Times reported.

The infant, barely 8 days old, was reportedly attacked by the female pit bull in his family's Kenly home at around 5 a.m, on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. The dog was a stray that the child's family had recently brought home to temporarily take care of.

"The dog was a stray that showed up at their house and they allowed the dog to be in there for a few days," local police chief Josh Gibson said.

Meanwhile, the dog that attacked the child was taken in by Johnston County Animal Control after the attack and was euthanized.