Grandmother Being Treated For Rabies Dies

Grandmother Being Treated For Rabies Dies

7:01pm UK, Monday May 28, 2012

An Indian veterinary clinic employee prepares a rabies vaccination for a labrador http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16237150
     A grandmother who was being treated for rabies after reportedly being bitten by a dog while on holiday in India has died. The identity of the woman, who is thought to be in her 50s and from Greater London, has not been disclosed. She was reportedly turned away twice by doctors at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent before being diagnosed. A statement from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We regret to announce that a patient being treated for rabies by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and colleagues at University College Hospital died over the weekend. "The patient's family have kindly requested for the media to respect their privacy during this very difficult time and we will not be releasing any further details, nor will the family be making any statements.
     "Our sincere condolences go out to them." The hospital had reassured patients, visitors and staff that there is no risk to them as a result of the case. Rabies experts at the Health Protection Agency said the disease is "extremely rare" in the UK. It is usually transferred through saliva from the bite of an infected animal, with dogs being the most common transmitter of rabies to humans. There are estimated to be more than 55,000 human fatalities every year, with most cases in developing countries.