Mumbai tragedy: Girl dies of rabies after skipping anti-rabies shot, was scratched by stray dog six months ago

PTC Web Desk: In a tragic incident coming to light Mumbai, a nine-year-old girl, identified as  Kashish Sahani, lost her life to rabies after refusing to take an anti-rabies injection due to fear of needles.

Kashish Sahani was a student of Class 4. She had been scratched by a stray dog nearly six months ago when she had gone out for a walk along with her grandfather. Although her family took her to a hospital for anti-rabies shot, she denied out of fear. As her wound also healed within a few days, the family assumed there was no further risk and there was no need for vaccination now. However, the virus progressed.

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Kashish’s health started to deteriorate a few days ago. Her eyes turned red and also also stopped stopped eating and drinking. Her family took her to a nearby hospital, from where she was further referred to Kasturba Hospital.

However, she could not be saved and died. The civic authorities have started medical checks of her family members and all those who might have come in contact with the child, as a precautionary measure.

Doctors have once again stressed that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is entirely preventable if timely vaccination is taken. They have urged the public not to ignore even minor scratches or bites from dogs or cats and to seek immediate medical attention.