17-year-old girl dies of rabies in Karachi; death toll hits eight this year

A 17-year-old girl suffering from rabies has died at the Indus Hospital in Korangi, Karachi, taking the number of rabies-related deaths reported at the facility this year to eight.

According to details, the patient was bitten on the thumb by an unidentified stray dog about a month ago.

Following the incident, she was taken to a nearby healthcare centre where, reportedly, only one dose of the rabies vaccine was administered, while the complete post-exposure prophylaxis could not be provided.

Hospital officials said the patient began showing symptoms of rabies last Friday, including hydrophobia, aerophobia and severe anxiety.

The hospital administration stated that the girl belonged to Orangi Town, Karachi.

According to Indus Hospital officials, eight rabies-related deaths have been reported at the hospital so far this year, while more than 16,000 animal bite cases have been recorded.

Medical experts say that timely administration of the anti-rabies vaccine after a dog bite provides nearly 100 per cent protection; however, once symptoms appear, the disease becomes fatal.

Doctors have advised citizens that in case of a dog bite, the affected area should be thoroughly washed with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes, followed by immediate completion of the vaccination course.