Seven-year-old girl in Kollam succumbs to rabies despite receiving anti-rabies vaccination, immunoglobulin serum

Representational image only. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

A seven-year-old girl from Pathanapuram in Kollam district died of rabies at the SAT wing of the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday (May 5, 2025.) 

On April 8, a stray dog attacked the child, Niya Faisal, while she was playing in front of her house. Her parents rushed her to the local Family Health Centre, where she received three doses of the anti-rabies vaccine over several weeks. Doctors at the Government Taluk Hospital in Punnalur administered her immunoglobulin serum. 

However, the child developed a fever, and doctors at the Taluk Hospital confirmed rabies infection, following which they shifted Niya Faisal to the intensive care unit of the SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Hospital authorities said Niya Faisal succumbed to the disease while under palliative care. Her parents told reporters outside the SAT hospital that the stray dog had bitten her above the elbow, rupturing a vein. Doctors said the nature of the child’s injury had suggested a poor prognosis. 

The Health Department has quarantined the child’s parents and a few others, including relatives and neighbours, who interacted with her closely. It has also disallowed a public vigil. The Alanchery Muslim Jamaat Mosque authorities would bury the child’s body as per Health Department protocol and in the presence of Municipal officials.

In the past month, at least seven people died after contracting rabies in the State, including three children. The deaths raised questions about vaccine efficacy and stray dog control in Kerala. According to Health Department figures, 1,00,504 dog bite injuries were reported in the State until April 30, with Thiruvananthapuram topping the list (15,718 cases).