During the past two days in some villages in the southern Nepalese district of Rautahat, something very frightening happened as people went out for walks or to go to the toilet–they were attacked by a rabid jackal.
According to local media, some 36 people were victims of the rabid jackal’s biting spree, receiving serious injuries on all areas of their bodies, including 18 bite injuries above the neck. Half of the injured are said to be in serious condition.
The wild, sickened animal attacked people in Garuda, Mohammedpur, Pipparapacharukhi, and Gamhariya villages between Monday and Tuesday.
As patients poured into the local hospital, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) aka rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin supplies ran out and a good number of patients had to be referred to other hospitals for treatment.
There is no word on the status of the animal, whether it has been captured or killed, based on reports.
Related: Rabies: A comprehensive interview with Pamela Wilson
It would be informative to know how many people received post exposure vaccination at the local government hospital. Also how many people who could not obtain vaccine at the hospital due to shortage of vaccine surely were referred to other nearby government hospital.
Whether there has been any reported cases of human or animal death by now.
The government does provides free rabies vaccine for post exposure at the government hospital ( though sometimes there is a shortage ) but as far as I know immunoglobulin is not provided and the practice or advise about this is little low am afraid.
I would be interested to hear further…..
Gratefully,
Khageshwaar