Health and Me

Ishita Roy

36% Of Rabies Death Comes From India: This Is What You Should Do After A Dog Bite, Explains Doctor

The World Health Organization (WHO), notes that 36% of world's <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/rabies">rabies</a></span> deaths come from India, and a 2024 Lancet study notes that the country accounts for over one-third of global rabies deaths. When we spoke to Dr Aniket Mule, Consultant Internal Medicine at KIMS Hospital, Thane, he said that it is not just dog bites that lead to rabies, but it could happen from any rabies-susceptible animal. The first line of defense after you clear your wound immediately is to get the rabies vaccine. "Rabies vaccination is required for bites or scratches from any rabies-susceptible animal, including cats, monkeys, bats, foxes, and other wild mammals," he pointed out. As the country's apex court ruled and issued directives on stray dogs, focusing on public safety by ordering their removal, global health organizations, including WHO point out that this is not the right way to deal with rabies issue. Comprehensive methods including evidence=based strategies that center on mass dog vaccination is the key to the problem.

However, before this could be implemented, here's what you should know about dog bites and rabies. 

<h2>What To Do After A Dog Bites Or Scratches You?</h2>

Dr Mule points out that even when there are minor scratches, without bleeding, you must get a rabies shot. "Rabies can be contracted through broken skin. Such exposures still require medical evaluation and, in most cases, rabies vaccination."

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/diagnostic-anomaly-in-an-exceptionally-rare-case-man-dies-of-rabies-after-kidney-transplant-article-153271512" data-type="tilCustomLink">In An 'Exceptionally Rare' Case, Man Dies Of Rabies After Kidney Transplant</a>

<h2>What Should One Do Immediately After Being Bitten Or Scratched?</h2>

<ul><li>Wash the wound immediately for at least 15 minutes with soap and running water</li><li>Apply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine</li><li>Do not apply home remedies like turmeric, chili or oil</li><li>Seek medical care promptly for rabies vaccination and possible immunoglobin </li></ul>

Dr Mule points out that the rabies vaccine should be started as soon as possible. "Ideally within 24 hours of a bite or scratch. However, even if there is a delay of days or weeks, vaccination should still be started immediately as rabies has a variable incubation period," he says. 

After the bite, the immediate medical attention involves rabies post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP, and with a tetanus booster. Some rabies vaccines also use saline water as the diluent to reconstitute the freeze-dried powder before injection.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/australia-issues-advisory-warning-travelers-of-counterfeit-rabies-vaccines-found-in-india-article-153356739" data-type="tilCustomLink">Australia Issues Advisory Warning Travelers Of Counterfeit Rabies Vaccines Found In India</a> 

The temperature of the vaccine matters. "Rabies vaccines are temperature-sensitive and must be stored between 2°C and 8°C. Exposure to heat or freezing can reduce vaccine potency. Poor cold-chain maintenance is a known reason for vaccine failure in rare cases," points out the doctor. 

<h2>Cases Of Rabies Coming Back After Vaccination Course Has Been Done</h2>

Dr Mule points out that in order to avoid such things happening, one must ensure immediate wound washing, timely vaccination, and correct use of Rabies Immunoglobulin or RIG. Rabies can come back if these following things occur:

<ul><li>Delay in starting vaccination</li><li>Failure to administer Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) in severe (Category III) exposures</li><li>Improper wound cleaning</li><li>Incorrect injection site (gluteal region)</li><li>Poor vaccine storage (cold-chain failure)</li></ul>

Dr Mule points out that the vaccine should be given intramuscularly in the deltoid or upper arms for adults, as gluteal or buttock injections could lead to inadequate absorption and reduce effectiveness. 

<ul><li>For someone not previously vaccinated, the current standard is 4 doses on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (intramuscular schedule).</li><li>In some government programs or intradermal schedules, 3–4 doses may be advised.</li><li>Previously vaccinated individuals require only 2 booster doses (days 0 and 3).</li></ul>

<em>The exact schedule depends on vaccination history and the protocol followed.</em>

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The World Health Organization (WHO), notes that 36% of world's rabies deaths come from India, and a 2024 Lancet study notes that the country accounts for over one-third of global rabies deaths. When we spoke to Dr Aniket Mule, Consultant Internal Medicine at KIMS Hospital, Thane, he said that it is not just dog bites that lead to rabies, but it could happen from any rabies-susceptible animal. The first line of defense after you clear your wound immediately is to get the rabies vaccine. "Rabies vaccination is required for bites or scratches from any rabies-susceptible animal, including cats, monkeys, bats, foxes, and other wild mammals," he pointed out. As the country's apex court ruled and issued directives on stray dogs, focusing on public safety by ordering their removal, global health organizations, including WHO point out that this is not the right way to deal with rabies issue. Comprehensive methods including evidence=based strategies that center on mass dog vaccination is the key to the problem.However, before this could be implemented, here's what you should know about dog bites and rabies. What To Do After A Dog Bites Or Scratches You?Dr Mule points out that even when there are minor scratches, without bleeding, you must get a rabies shot. "Rabies can be contracted through broken skin. Such exposures still require medical evaluation and, in most cases, rabies vaccination."Read: In An 'Exceptionally Rare' Case, Man Dies Of Rabies After Kidney TransplantWhat Should One Do Immediately After Being Bitten Or Scratched?Wash the wound immediately for at least 15 minutes with soap and running waterApply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodineDo not apply home remedies like turmeric, chili or oilSeek medical care promptly for rabies vaccination and possible immunoglobin Dr Mule points out that the rabies vaccine should be started as soon as possible. "Ideally within 24 hours of a bite or scratch. However, even if there is a delay of days or weeks, vaccination should still be started immediately as rabies has a variable incubation period," he says. After the bite, the immediate medical attention involves rabies post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP, and with a tetanus booster. Some rabies vaccines also use saline water as the diluent to reconstitute the freeze-dried powder before injection.Read: Australia Issues Advisory Warning Travelers Of Counterfeit Rabies Vaccines Found In India The temperature of the vaccine matters. "Rabies vaccines are temperature-sensitive and must be stored between 2°C and 8°C. Exposure to heat or freezing can reduce vaccine potency. Poor cold-chain maintenance is a known reason for vaccine failure in rare cases," points out the doctor. Cases Of Rabies Coming Back After Vaccination Course Has Been DoneDr Mule points out that in order to avoid such things happening, one must ensure immediate wound washing, timely vaccination, and correct use of Rabies Immunoglobulin or RIG. Rabies can come back if these following things occur:Delay in starting vaccinationFailure to administer Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) in severe (Category III) exposuresImproper wound cleaningIncorrect injection site (gluteal region)Poor vaccine storage (cold-chain failure)Dr Mule points out that the vaccine should be given intramuscularly in the deltoid or upper arms for adults, as gluteal or buttock injections could lead to inadequate absorption and reduce effectiveness. How Many Doses Should One Get?For someone not previously vaccinated, the current standard is 4 doses on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (intramuscular schedule).In some government programs or intradermal schedules, 3–4 doses may be advised.Previously vaccinated individuals require only 2 booster doses (days 0 and 3).The exact schedule depends on vaccination history and the protocol followed.