SAT Hospital Superintendent Dr S Bindu said the death may have been caused by a deep bite to a nerve. She explained that the virus might have reached Niya’s brain through the nerve fibres before the vaccine-induced antibodies could take effect.
Published May 05, 2025 | 3:36 PM ⚊ Updated May 05, 2025 | 3:36 PM
Stray dogs on a street. (iStock)
Synopsis: Seven-year-old Niya Faisal from the Kollam district in Kerala died at the Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram due to rabies infection. This marks the third rabies-related death of a child in Kerala within a month, raising serious concerns across the state.
A seven-year-old girl from the Kollam district in Kerala died at the Sree Avittam Thirunal (SAT) Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram early on Monday, 5 May, due to rabies infection, triggering public concern as she had already received three doses of the anti-rabies vaccine.
Niya Faisal, a native of Kunnikodein Pathanapuram, had been undergoing treatment at the hospital with ventilator support. This marks the third rabies-related death of a child in Kerala within a month, raising serious concerns across the state.
On 28 April, a five-year-old girl from the Malappuram district lost her life to rabies even after receiving treatment. On 13-year-old Bhagyalakshmi from Pullad in Pathanamthitta had also succumbed to the infection.
Meanwhile, SAT Hospital Superintendent Dr S Bindu said the tragic death of Niya may have been caused by a deep bite to a nerve. Addressing the media alongside the doctors who treated the child, Dr Bindu explained that the virus might have reached Niya’s brain through the nerve fibres before the vaccine-induced antibodies could take effect.
Medical experts clarified that rabies typically travels through nerve pathways. In rare cases, if a bite directly affects a nerve — particularly in areas like the hand or face where nerve density is high — the virus can rapidly reach the brain, reducing the window for the vaccine and immunoglobulin to act.
In Niya’s case, the bite was on the hand, in a region with dense nerve fibres.
Doctors noted that a similar incident was reported in Kozhikode, where a child with a deep facial bite also died despite treatment. The state’s Directorate of Medical Education (DME) assured that the vaccine remains effective and that all healthcare workers have been trained in its administration.
A 2022 state-appointed committee had earlier linked six rabies deaths to Category 3 bites — deep lacerations on critical areas — where delayed first aid and rapid nerve involvement could hasten the onset of the disease before vaccination protection could develop.
Following the death of Niya, the Pathanapuram Block Panchayat convened an emergency meeting and decided to vaccinate every individual who came into contact with her. The child was bitten by a stray dog on 8 April and received two doses of the anti-rabies vaccine. However, she began showing symptoms of rabies before the third dose could be administered.
Pathanapuram Block Panchayat Member Sajeevan C told South First that Niya had visited a madrasa, her school, several relatives’ homes, and neighbouring houses after the incident. All these individuals will be kept under surveillance and administered appropriate medication.
The meeting also decided to form people’s committees in each ward to address the growing stray dog menace. These committees, working in coordination with the Health Department, will lead sterilsation drives and implement related projects. Measures will also be taken to clean public places and remove roadside waste to prevent further health risks.
Ajayakumar R, Kinattinkara ward member and Niya’s neighbour, told South First that the child is a known animal lover and was bitten while feeding her pet duck at home.
“She had received two vaccines properly, but signs of rabies appeared before the third dose,” he said.
Niya, was being raised by her single mother along with her younger brother. Their father, who had left the family when the children were very young, returned from Chennai upon hearing the news.
Ajayakumar added that while there are no separate funds available in the panchayat to support the family, financial assistance collected from neighbours and local leaders will be handed over to them, along with her mother’s pending Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREG) payments.
Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan came down heavily on the state government following the death of Niya. In a strongly worded statement, Satheesan said the incident exposed the gross negligence of the health department.
“It is alarming that a child who received three doses of the anti-rabies vaccine contracted the disease. This is not an isolated case,” he said. The Opposition leader pointed out that three children had died of rabies in the past month.
“Out of 102 rabies deaths in the last five years, 20 victims had been vaccinated. Yet, the government continues to claim the vaccine’s safety,” he added.
Satheesan also cited a recent CAG report that flagged the distribution of expired and untested medicines in government hospitals, holding the government responsible for risking public lives.
He further raised concerns over the rising stray dog menace in Kerala, blaming the government for failing to disburse funds to local bodies for controlling the population.
“In 2024 alone, over 3.16 lakh people sought treatment in government hospitals for dog bites. The actual number, including private hospitals, would be more than double,” he said.
Calling for immediate action, Satheesan demanded the implementation of a multidisciplinary disease control system to tackle rabies effectively. “The Pinarayi Vijayan government cannot shirk responsibility for these tragic deaths,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar and Sreelakshmi Soman.)
