Ahmedabad: A woman in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad has died of rabies months after she was bitten by a pet Beagle, triggering fresh concern over awareness and response to dog bites, even when the animal is vaccinated.
The incident dates back to October when the woman was bitten while playing with the dog at a school campus in Gandhinagar. The Beagle was owned by a school staff member and was said to be vaccinated. Since the bite appeared minor and the woman herself had experience with pet dogs, no anti-rabies injections were taken at that time, according to a report by Ahmedabad Mirror.
Weeks later, the situation took a worrying turn when the Beagle fell ill and died on October 17 after showing signs linked to rabies. Following the dog’s death, the school management alerted parents and staff, advising anyone who had come in contact with the animal to take preventive rabies vaccines. Vaccination arrangements were also made within the campus.
In late December, the woman began experiencing symptoms linked to rabies and was admitted to a private hospital near Bhat Circle on December 30. Despite continuous treatment and intensive care, doctors could not save her. She died on January 17, around two weeks after being hospitalised.
Officials confirmed that her cremation was carried out at the Sector-30 crematorium in Gandhinagar under strict safety measures, following protocols meant for infectious diseases, the report said.
According to reports, Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear and that immediate post-bite vaccination is critical, regardless of whether the dog is a pet or reportedly vaccinated. While pet dogs are generally immunised, India continues to record rabies deaths, largely linked to dog bites, especially from infected animals.
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The woman was the married daughter of a retired IAS officer who had served as additional chief secretary to the Gujarat government. She was associated with a well-known school in Gandhinagar and was widely respected in academic and civil service circles, the report noted.
