Man dies of Rabies after family relies on faith healing
Faith healing turns fatal
Ambikapur | Correspondent: A heart-wrenching case involving superstition and medical negligence has come to light in the Surguja division. Ramjeet Ram, a 35-year-old resident of Maharajganj in the Balrampur district, has died due to rabies.
Tragically, after he was bitten by a dog last November, his family members instead of taking him to a hospital relied on indigenous herbal remedies and traditional faith healing practices.
By the time he was finally brought to the Medical College Hospital, the infection had already spread to his brain.
According to reports, Ramjeet was bitten by a dog in his village in November 2025. At that time, rather than administering the appropriate anti-rabies vaccine, his family prioritized home remedies. Once the wound healed, the family assumed he was out of danger.
However, five months later, Ramjeet's condition suddenly began to deteriorate. He started exhibiting symptoms such as severe body stiffness, fever, and a fear of water (hydrophobia). Alarmed by the changes in his behavior, his family members rushed him to the Ambikapur Medical College; however, he passed away just a few hours after treatment began.
It is noteworthy that this marks the second death caused by rabies in this region within the last month and a half. Previously, a young man in the Darima area had also lost his life to the disease. Health experts emphasize that rabies is a fatal disease for which the only effective prevention is timely vaccination.
Herbal remedies or traditional faith healing practices are completely ineffective in preventing this infection. Doctors have issued an appeal urging anyone bitten by an animal to immediately visit a hospital and complete the full course of vaccination.
It is important to note that rabies is the most dangerous and life-threatening disease caused by dog bites. It is a viral infection that spreads primarily through the saliva of an infected animal. Once the rabies virus enters the body, it attacks the nervous system, leading to inflammation of the brain. The primary symptoms of this disease include a fear of water (hydrophobia), a fear of drafts or air currents, high fever, a tingling sensation at the site of the wound, and extreme aggression or delirium in behavior. Tragically, once symptoms of rabies manifest in the body, no cure is possible, and death becomes virtually inevitable.
The sole and most effective method of preventing rabies is timely vaccination. Immediately after being bitten by a dog or any other animal, the wound must first be thoroughly washed with soap and running water for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
This procedure significantly reduces the impact of the virus. Immediately thereafter, one should consult a doctor and commence the full course of the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV).
Any negligence in this regard or relying on folk remedies and traditional healers can prove fatal. Furthermore, pet dogs should also be regularly vaccinated against rabies, and one should maintain a safe distance from stray animals to completely eliminate the risk of infection. (Representative Image)
