TN Health Directorate Warns: Vaccine Alone Not Enough for Severe Dog Bites

Following the tragic deaths of two children in Kerala due to rabies, Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Public Health (DPH) has issued a renewed warning to medical personnel: anti-rabies vaccination alone cannot prevent fatalities in cases of serious dog bites.

TN health officials stress proper rabies care after vaccine failures in Kerala.

The alert, issued on Friday, comes after two boys in Kerala succumbed to rabies despite receiving anti-rabies vaccines (ARV). According to the DPH, the deaths point toward possible lapses in critical post-exposure steps — particularly when dealing with Category III exposures, which include deep bites, broken skin contact, or licking on open wounds.

The DPH emphasized the importance of following well-established medical protocols in such cases. Alongside ARV, healthcare professionals must ensure immediate wound cleansing, timely administration of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), and strict adherence to vaccine dosing schedules. The quality of vaccine storage and correct injection methods are also vital.

“These unfortunate cases are a grim reminder that incomplete or improper post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can lead to fatal outcomes, even if the vaccine is given,” a senior health official from the Directorate stated.

The deaths of the two children have not only raised concerns in Kerala but have also prompted neighboring Tamil Nadu to re-evaluate its own preventive strategies. The DPH urged district health officers to ensure all healthcare staff are re-trained to identify dog bite categories correctly and take comprehensive action during the initial treatment window.

The advisory stressed that Category I bites (like touching or feeding dogs) may not require vaccination, but Category II and III exposures do — with RIG being mandatory in the latter case.

In conclusion, the DPH called on both the medical community and the public to treat stray dog bites with the utmost seriousness and follow the complete protocol to prevent rabies-related tragedies.