Construction Worker Dies of Rabies After Refusing Treatment for Dog Bite in Tamil Nadu

A construction worker, aged 31, from Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district has succumbed to rabies following a dog bite incident that occurred three months prior. The victim, identified as Ayyappan, had been working at a construction site in the Kaval Kinaru area when he was bitten by a dog.

According to police and hospital sources who spoke with NDTV, Ayyappan neglected the injury sustained from the dog bite and failed to seek appropriate medical treatment, including post-exposure rabies vaccination or any follow-up care.

Dr. Leo David, dean of the government medical college in Asaripallam, confirmed to NDTV that the 31-year-old died from rabies infection. Hospital officials reported that by the time Ayyappan was brought to their facility, he was already exhibiting clear symptoms of rabies, including restlessness and difficulty swallowing.

Before being admitted to the government hospital in Asaripallam, the patient had been taken to two private healthcare facilities. Despite medical intervention at the government hospital, the man could not be saved.

This tragic death comes at a time when the Supreme Court has been actively intervening to isolate dogs showing symptoms of rabies, and the Tamil Nadu government has launched an extensive campaign to vaccinate community dogs throughout the state.