Introduction
Rabies is a viral disease notorious for its nearly 100% fatality rate once clinical symptoms appear. Caused by the rabies virus (Lyssavirus rabies), this neurotropic pathogen attacks the central nervous system, leading inevitably to death unless prompt treatment is administered. India bears a disproportionate burden—approximately 18,000–20,000 deaths annually, representing roughly 36% of global rabies fatalities
This blog explores the rabies virus, how it spreads, clinical symptoms, and preventive measures—including the post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol—through a recent real‑world example: the tragic death of state‑level kabaddi player Brijesh Solanki in Uttar Pradesh.
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🧠 What is the Rabies?
Rabies is one of the deadliest diseases known to mankind. Caused by the rabies virus, this illness attacks the brain and nervous system of mammals — including humans. Once a person starts showing symptoms, the disease is almost always fatal.
What makes rabies so dangerous is its deceptive nature. A small scratch or minor bite can be the starting point of this deadly infection. But if caught early, rabies is 100% preventable.
🐶 How Does Rabies Virus Spread?
The most common way rabies virus spreads is through animal bites, especially dog bites. When an infected animal bites or scratches you, the rabies virus present in its saliva enters your body.
Here are common transmission routes:
- Bite or scratch from a rabid animal
- Saliva entering an open wound, eyes, or mouth
- Rarely, through organ transplants or lab exposure
In India, stray dogs are the biggest carriers of rabies.
🇮🇳 Why Rabies Virus is Still a Major Threat in India (2025)
Despite available vaccines, India records around 20,000 deaths from rabies every year, which is nearly 36% of global rabies deaths. The reasons are disturbing but clear:
✅ Lack of awareness — People often ignore dog bites
✅ Incomplete treatment — Some start the vaccine but don’t finish the full course
✅ Shortage of medicine — Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is often not available in public hospitals
✅ Traditional beliefs — Some still rely on “home remedies” or spiritual healing instead of medical care
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💉 What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)?
PEP is the only effective way to prevent rabies after an animal bite.
🛠 Step-by-step What To Do:
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for 10–15 minutes
- Apply antiseptic like iodine or betadine
- Visit a nearby hospital or health center ASAP
🩺 Doctor Will Recommend:
- Rabies Vaccine (4–5 doses on Days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28)
- Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) if it’s a deep or bleeding wound
⏳ IMPORTANT: Treatment must begin before symptoms appear. Once rabies symptoms begin, survival is almost impossible.
💀 Symptoms of Rabies Virus in Humans
The virus travels from the bite site through nerves to the brain. This process can take days or even months — giving us a window to stop it with PEP.
Early Symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tingling or burning at the bite site
Severe (Late) Symptoms:
- Agitation or confusion
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Aerophobia (fear of air or breeze)
- Hallucinations, aggression
- Muscle spasms
- Seizures
- Paralysis, coma, and eventually death
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💔 Real-Life Case: Death of Kabaddi Player Brijesh Solanki (2025)
In June 2025, a young kabaddi player from Uttar Pradesh named Brijesh Solanki lost his life to rabies. A gold medalist in state-level kabaddi, Brijesh had a bright future ahead
While rescuing a stray puppy stuck in a drain, Brijesh got bitten on his hand. Like many others, he assumed it was a minor bite and did not seek medical help.
🐶 What Happened?
Weeks later, he started showing signs of fatigue, leg pain, and later developed hydrophobia — a classic rabies symptom.
🏥 Medical Negligence
His family rushed him to multiple hospitals, but he was either not admitted or not treated in time. By the time he reached a private hospital and doctors suspected rabies, it was too late. He died on June 28, 2025.
His death shocked the nation and became a grim reminder that rabies virus doesn’t forgive ignorance.
📢 What We Can Learn from Brijesh’s Case
✅ Never ignore even the smallest animal bite or scratch
✅ Rabies symptoms may take time, but once they appear — there is no cure
✅ Vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving
✅ Government hospitals must ensure availability of vaccines and RIG
✅ Public awareness is the strongest weapon against rabies
🧬 Is There a Cure for Rabies Virus?
Once symptoms start, there is no cure. Treatment becomes only supportive — to reduce pain. Death is almost guaranteed.
That’s why prevention and PEP are the only options.
There have been rare survival cases, but they involved experimental treatments and still resulted in severe brain damage.
📊 Rabies Statistics in India (2025)
| Data Point | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Global Rabies Deaths | ~59,000/year |
| India’s Share | ~20,000 deaths/year |
| Common Victims | Children, rural population |
| Main Cause | Dog bites (≈99%) |
| Major Issue | Delayed or no treatment |
| Common Carrier in India | Stray dogs |
| Vaccine Availability | Patchy (shortage of RIG common) |
🧩 Role of Government & NGOs
The Indian government, along with organizations like WHO and Mission Rabies, is working to:
- Vaccinate stray dogs to break the virus cycle
- Provide free rabies vaccines at government hospitals
- Conduct awareness programs in schools and villages
- Train healthcare workers in identifying and treating dog bite cases
But challenges remain, especially in rural areas and small towns where access to treatment is limited.
🐾 What Can You Do?
Even if you’re not a doctor or policymaker, you can help:
✅ Educate your family & friends about the dangers of untreated dog bites
✅ Don’t delay – go to the doctor immediately after any animal bite
✅ Ensure your pets are vaccinated
✅ Report stray dog attacks to local authorities
✅ Share stories like Brijesh’s to spread awareness
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🧾 Quick Summary: Rabies in a Nutshell
- Rabies virus is deadly once symptoms begin
- Spreads via animal bites, mostly stray dogs
- Preventable through timely vaccine and immunoglobulin (PEP)
- Brijesh Solanki, a kabaddi player, died in 2025 after ignoring a puppy bite
- Don’t wait — treat all animal bites as emergencies
- India must improve awareness and access to treatment
📌 Final Thoughts
Rabies is a disease with 100% prevention but almost 0% survival once symptoms begin.
We live in a country where deaths like Brijesh’s can be avoided with just a few vaccine doses. Yet, due to lack of awareness, delayed treatment, or even system failure — lives are still being lost.
If this blog makes even one person take a dog bite seriously, it has done its job. Share it. Talk about it. And help save a life.
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