Rabid Cat Bites Girl in Samara, Child's Fate in Question

As 63.RU learned from its own sources, in one of the districts of Samara, a child was bitten and scratched by a cat, presumably infected with rabies.

«In Samara, a rabid cat bit a schoolgirl. The parents either refused the immunoglobulin injection, or the doctors discouraged them for an unclear reason — it»s a tangled story. After 2 days, the cat died. Now the girl«s life is in danger — the incubation period is ongoing, parents and doctors are waiting to see what happens next. The child could die,» the source reported.

We reached out to the Ministry of Health of Samara Oblast for comment.

«The affected child is undergoing anti-rabies vaccination according to the established medical protocol and is receiving the necessary medical assistance,» 63.RU was informed by the ministry.

Rabies — is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and animals. The pathogen is most often transmitted through a bite or when saliva from an infected animal gets on damaged skin or mucous membranes. The disease develops gradually, causing fear of water, convulsions, aggression, paralysis, and almost always ends fatally without timely vaccination. The only effective protection remains emergency medical attention after contact with an animal.

Anti-rabies vaccination — is a course of preventive injections designed to protect humans from rabies. It is administered after a bite or salivation by a suspicious animal and aims to develop immunity before the disease develops. The vaccine is administered according to a set schedule and can prevent the deadly disease if treatment is started promptly.