A disturbing rabies case has surfaced from the Bhayli area of Vadodara in Gujarat, where a young man named Hemant began biting himself repeatedly and tried to attack people around him. According to those close to him, Hemant had been bitten by a stray dog some time earlier but did not get treated in time. His condition gradually worsened until he started showing symptoms of rabies.
Residents Had To Tie Him Down As The Situation Spiralled
As Hemant's condition kept deteriorating instead of improving, people around him found it increasingly difficult to control him. He began clawing and biting himself while also lunging at bystanders. The situation turned so alarming that locals had to tie him up with ropes to stop him from hurting himself or anyone else. The 108 ambulance service was alerted immediately, and on arrival, Hemant was first rushed to Gotri Hospital. After an initial examination, he was shifted to the Infectious Disease Hospital for further treatment, where a team of doctors is currently monitoring his condition. The incident has left residents in the area anxious and worried.
Doctor Says Survival Chances Are Very Low Once Rabies Sets In
Infection specialist Dr. Hiten Karelia said of the case, "The chances of a patient surviving are very low once rabies sets in." He further explained that the rabies virus starts showing its effects within 2 to 14 days of entering the body and attacks the brain directly, causing the patient's condition to deteriorate rapidly. This is why doctors strongly advise getting an anti-rabies vaccine injection without any delay right after a dog bite, since treatment options are almost non-existent once symptoms appear.
How To Spot A Dog That May Be Carrying Rabies
Dr. Karelia also explained the warning signs that can indicate a dog may be infected with rabies. According to him, if a dog is unable to sit still in one place, appears afraid of water, stops eating or drinking, and keeps drooling continuously from its mouth, people should stay away from it. He also cautioned that if such a dog bites someone, that person must rush to a hospital without wasting time to get vaccinated.
A Similar Case Was Reported From Palanpur In January This Year
This is not the first time such a case has emerged from Gujarat. A similarly shocking incident had been reported from Palanpur in January this year. There, a 27 year old man named Devabhai suddenly fell ill and began behaving like a dog, biting other people. An examination revealed that Devabhai too had been bitten by a dog some time earlier, but his condition was not taken seriously at first because it initially seemed normal. A few days later, he began showing dangerous symptoms such as hydrophobia, or fear of water, and aggressive behaviour, both of which are classic signs of rabies.
