Chandigarh: Bitten by stray rabid dog, 6-yr-old contracts rabies

Six-year-old Sadia, who was admitted at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, after being bitten on the face by a rabid dog in Manimajra last month, has contracted rabies and is battling for life.

Six-year-old Sadia, who was admitted at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, after being bitten on the face by a rabid dog in Manimajra last month, has contracted rabies and is battling for life.

PGIMER officials said, “Preliminary investigations are suggestive of rabies. Sadia’s condition is very critical.”

After the incident on March 25, Sadia had undergone surgery for tissue loss, and was provided active as well as passive antirabies serum. A philanthropist from Sector 16 is taking care of her treatment’s expenses.

Earlier on Wednesday, after visiting the child, city mayor Poonam Sharma said Sadia’s condition was critical. She said every possible help would be extended for the girl’s treatment, adding that MC had directed doctors and staff concerned to ensure proper vaccination of other dog-bite victims in Manimajra.

Sadia and 12 others were attacked by a stray dog in Manimajra on March 25. The incident happened when some children were playing in street number 8, Shanti Nagar. Later, the dog moved to New Darshani Bagh and attacked more residents, leaving six children and seven adults injured in all.

The centre has a total of 104 kennels that have been constructed at a cost of Rs 35 lakh. A target of sterilising minimum 450 dogs in a month has been assigned to the SPCA under the programme.