EDIS Number: BH-20140719-44598-IND
Date / time: 19/07/2014 10:54:09 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Asia
Country: India
State/County: State of Tamil Nadu
Location: Rajapalayam
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: 38 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A
Description:
Panic struck pedestrians and two-wheeler riders at Sankarankoil Road junction here on Saturday, when a rabid dog went on a biting spree in the morning. Thirty-eight persons, including eight women and four children, were bitten by the dog. The victims were treated at the Government hospital. "The victims were administered tissue culture vaccination, the latest injection available for anti-rabies. Since, it was confirmed that the dog was infected with rabies, the patients were given a dose of Immunoglobulin," the Joint Director of Health Services, M. Kathiresan, said. Adequate stocks of the vaccination were available at the GH and there was no need to panic, he said. Meanwhile, a section of the victims, who were tourists returning from Courtallam wanted to take further treatment at the Government Rajaji hospital. "Though it was not required, the victims out of anxiety wanted to go there," Dr. Kathiresan, said. The Rajapalayam MLA, K. Gopalsamy, who visited the victims at the GH said that the municipal authorities were searching for the dog.
