Rise in rabies cases in Jammu region: A problem that requires urgent attention

Abstract

Context: Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that is endemic in India. Both forms of rabies, namely, encephalitic and furious, invariably lead to coma and death. Lack of awareness is the most critical barrier in accessing timely post-exposure prophylaxis that can prevent the progression to clinical disease. Aims: To report the case series of fourteen clinically suspected rabies cases. Settings and Design: We followed a retrospective study design. Data were collected from the Anti Rabies Section of Government Medical College, Jammu, which is a tertiary care hospital of Jammu Division. Methods and Material: We collected data of all patients over a period of three years, from 2017 to 2020, who were diagnosed as cases of clinically suspected rabies on the basis of classic signs and symptoms and who finally succumbed to the disease. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics was used to describe the results of the study Results: In the present description, the mean age of the patients was 31 ± 18.6 years. Out of 14 suspected cases, 9 had not received any post-exposure prophylaxis—neither vaccine nor serum—and instead visited spiritual faith healers. The remaining patients had history of either incomplete, unknown, or incorrect vaccination status. Median duration of presentation of symptoms after dog bite was 42 days, with a range of 15–180 days. Mean survival of patients after presentation of symptoms was around 1.8 days Conclusions: Low level of awareness resulted in non-seeking of health-care services after animal bites.

Keywords

• dog bites
• hydrophobia
• rabies
• rabies immunoglobulin
• rabies vaccine