4-year-old boy dies weeks after stray dog bite in General Santos City
- A four-year-old boy from Barangay Sinawal, General Santos City, died more than a month after he was bitten by a stray dog suspected of carrying rabies
- The child received anti-rabies shots but developed symptoms associated with rabies after his third dose
- His family questioned the timing of his vaccination, while the hospital said the child was treated in the emergency room on the night of the incident
- The City Veterinary Office is searching for the dog involved and has started vaccinating dogs in the affected barangay
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A four-year-old boy from General Santos City died more than a month after he was bitten by a stray dog suspected of having rabies, leaving his family questioning why the child succumbed to the disease despite receiving anti-rabies vaccinations.
Source: UGC
The child, who lived in Barangay Sinawal, was attacked by the dog on July 9 while he was with his mother, who was buying food. The animal reportedly bit him on the face and ear, leaving wounds that required immediate medical attention.
He was brought to a hospital, where his injuries were cleaned and stitched. He also received a tetanus shot, followed by his first anti-rabies vaccine the next day.
According to his mother, Marlyn, her son received his last anti-rabies injection on July 17. She initially believed he was recovering well because he remained active and showed no concerning symptoms.
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However, his condition changed on August 6. He complained of stomach pain around noon, which reportedly subsided after he was given medication. Later that evening, he began showing a fear of water, one of the symptoms associated with rabies.
His family took him back to the hospital the following day after he also developed a fear of air. He was placed in an isolation room and given intravenous fluids but died the next day.
The hospital said patients bitten by dogs typically receive four doses of anti-rabies vaccine, but the boy died before completing the fourth dose. Doctors also classified his wounds as Category 3 because the bites were close to his head.
"Unfortunately, umabot siya ng third dose pero hindi na siya umabot ng fourth dose. We categorize yung mga sugat or kagat ng aso… sa pasyente, Category 3… masyado nang malapit sa ulo. Meron tayong ibinibigay na immunuglobilin, which is active yung ibinigay na bakuna,” Dr. Ryan Oscar Aplicador said.
The boy’s father also questioned the alleged delay in vaccination.
The hospital maintained that the child received appropriate emergency treatment that night and was instructed to return the next morning for vaccination.
“Dumating siya July 9 ng gabi and napauwi at the same night. Ibig sabihin, meron kaming ginagawa sa emergency room na dapat naasikaso yung mga pasyente within 4 to 6 hours. ‘Yung pasyente, by record, nalinis yung sugat, natahi yung sugat, nabigyan ng siya ng anti-biotic, nabigyan siya ng anti-tetanus, and napauwi natin siya on the same night and to come back for the vaccination in the morning. Technically, nabigay namin ang bakuna within the day na,” Aplicador said.
He also clarified that the vaccine administered to the child had not expired.
In a separate incident, a 51-year-old former police officer was shot and killed while heading home in Quezon, Nueva Ecija. Investigators are looking into a previous disagreement between the victim and the suspect that may have led to the fatal shooting. The alleged gunman, a businessman in the area, later surrendered to authorities and turned over his licensed firearm. He is now facing murder charges as police continue to investigate the case.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old man was arrested in Agdao District, Davao City, over an alleged assault involving a male minor inside an internet cafe. Police said the incident reportedly took place after the suspect and the victim were left alone inside the establishment. The victim eventually disclosed the alleged incident to relatives, who promptly sought police assistance. The suspect remains under police custody and has been formally charged after reportedly choosing not to issue a statement regarding the allegations.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
