Neglected Dog Bite Leads to Tragic Rabies Death in Khargone

Khargone, Madhya Pradesh: A 32-year-old man from Shahpura village in Khargone district tragically died from rabies after being bitten by a puppy a month ago, having failed to seek medical treatment. The case underscores the dangers of neglecting dog bites, even from seemingly harmless animals.

Incident Details

According to Dr. Deepak Shastre, Chief Block Medical Officer of Jhirnia, the victim, Amasya Solanki, was bitten by a puppy in his village around a month ago. Assuming the bite to be minor, Solanki did not receive any medical attention.

However, on January 5, he began experiencing severe pain at the bite site. His family rushed him to the Jhirnia Government Health Centre, where doctors observed classic signs of hydrophobia—an extreme fear of water, a hallmark symptom of rabies. Due to the severity of his condition, he was first referred to Khargone and then to Indore for advanced treatment, but he succumbed to the disease on Friday.

Doctors Issue Urgent Warning

Dr. Shastre appealed to the public, emphasizing that anyone bitten by a dog, even a puppy, must immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water, which can reduce viral load by over 70%. He stressed the importance of promptly visiting a hospital for anti-rabies vaccination and treatment to prevent fatal outcomes.

Authorities also conducted health checks and counseling for Solanki’s family and began tracking the dog involved in the bite to prevent further incidents.

High Incidence of Dog Bites in Khargone

The Health Department reports that 5,000 to 6,000 dog bite cases are recorded annually in Khargone district, with over 400 cases reported each month. Many victims fail to receive timely anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin, significantly increasing the risk of fatality.

Following this tragic incident, District Collector Bhavya Mittal has instructed the Health Department to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign in rural and urban areas, warning residents not to underestimate dog bites and to seek immediate medical care, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.