Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Jul 5: Following the recent deaths of two vaccinated children in Kerala due to rabies, Tamil Nadu’s Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) has issued fresh instructions to all district health officers to ensure strict adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines.

In a circular issued by Dr T S Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the department emphasised that rabies PEP is life-saving only when administered correctly — with proper wound care, timely vaccination, and the use of rabies immunoglobulin when necessary.

“All healthcare workers must be trained to assess the category of the bite and administer the correct treatment. Vaccines must also be stored at recommended temperatures,” the circular stated.

The move comes after a five-year-old boy and another child in Kerala succumbed to rabies despite having received vaccinations following dog bites. Investigations revealed that in both cases, critical PEP steps may not have been properly followed.

The DPH reiterated the scientific classification of bites:

• Category I: Touching, feeding animals, licks on intact skin – No PEP needed
• Category II: Minor scratches without bleeding – Vaccine only
• Category III: Bites or scratches with broken skin, licks on wounds – Vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin

Health officials have been asked to ensure immediate first aid at the site of the bite, including thorough washing with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, followed by antiseptic application to reduce viral load.

“Inadequate wound cleaning allows the virus to enter the body,” the DPH warned, adding that vaccine doses must be administered on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 28th days for effective protection.