A 65-year-old woman who had been undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam following a stray dog attack died here on Saturday. Tests later confirmed that she had contracted rabies.
The deceased, identified as Karkunnil Krishnamma of Omallur panchayat, was attacked by a stray dog on September 4 while waiting at a bus stop. As the dog approached her, she panicked and fell, after which the animal bit her on the face.
She was immediately rushed to the Pathanamthitta General Hospital, where she received an anti-rabies vaccination. However, when she later developed uneasiness, she was taken to a private hospital and subsequently shifted to the Kottayam medical college hospital for further treatment. Her condition worsened there, leading to her death. The cremation will be held on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Health department has launched an inquiry to determine whether the stray dog, which was later found dead, had attacked anyone else. Officials noted that the rabies virus spreads at a rate of about 3 mm per hour, making bites above the neck particularly dangerous. “In such cases, the effect of vaccination tends to be limited. The effectiveness of the vaccine also depends on the individual’s overall health condition,” an official said.
Waste dumping
According to data from the District Animal Husbandry department, as many as 3,249 stray dogs have been vaccinated against rabies between January and September 30 this year, with September alone accounting for 1,290 vaccinations. “This drive is being carried out with the support of funds from local bodies. Given the current momentum, the prevalence of rabies among stray dogs can be brought under control soon,” an official added. Officials also attributed the sharp rise in the stray dog population in the district to the indiscriminate dumping of waste in public spaces.
In July, an 11-year-old girl from Kadakkad, near Pandalam, had also died of rabies infection after being scratched by her pet cat.
Published – October 04, 2025 04:30 pm IST
