Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 04 October 2023
In a startling development on the otherwise rabies-free islands of Andaman and Nicobar, a 34-year-old male patient, originally hailing from Jharkhand, has been admitted to the Primary Health Center (PHC) in Campbell Bay, exhibiting symptoms consistent with rabies.
Historically, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have remained free from rabies, making the recent case a source of surprise and concern for the local community.
The patient, identified as a labourer, had returned to Campbell Bay in mid-August after a visit to his home state of Jharkhand. According to sources, during his stay in Jharkhand, the patient was reportedly bitten by a dog, which is believed to be the source of the infection.
The patient is currently experiencing the acute neurologic phase of rabies, displaying classic symptoms such as hydrophobia (an extreme fear of water) and photophobia (sensitivity to light). Furthermore, all other symptoms presented by the patient align with a rabies infection.
Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health), provided insights into the situation, stating that vaccines have been dispatched to Campbell Bay to prevent the potential spread of rabies among healthcare personnel managing the patient.
It is noteworthy that India is known to be endemic for rabies, with the exception of its two Island Territories, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Dogs have been identified as the primary source of rabies transmission all over the world, responsible for approximately 99% of cases. However, no rabies infection has ever been recorded in dogs or cats in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.