Sat Oct 04 11:00:49 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
A 65-year-old woman in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India, died from rabies contracted from a stray dog bite. The woman was bitten on the face in early September, received a rabies vaccination, but developed symptoms later and succumbed to the disease. The Health Department has launched an investigation to identify potential additional victims of the dog. The article highlights the ongoing efforts to vaccinate stray dogs in the district and links the rising stray population to improper waste disposal. This case follows a similar rabies-related death of an 11-year-old girl earlier in the year, emphasizing the severity of rabies.
**News Article:**
**Woman Dies of Rabies Following Stray Dog Attack in Kerala**
PATHANAMTHITTA, INDIA – October 4, 2025 – A 65-year-old woman from Omallur panchayat, Pathanamthitta, has died after contracting rabies from a stray dog bite. Krishnamma Karkunnil, was attacked on September 4th while waiting at a bus stop.
According to reports, the dog bit her on the face after she fell in fright. She was immediately taken to the Pathanamthitta General Hospital and administered a rabies vaccination. However, she later developed symptoms of the disease and was transferred to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, where her condition deteriorated, leading to her death on Saturday. Her cremation is scheduled for Sunday.
The Health Department has initiated an investigation to determine if the same stray dog, which has since been found dead, attacked anyone else. Officials emphasized the rapid spread of the rabies virus and the increased risk associated with bites above the neck.
“In such cases, the effect of vaccination tends to be limited,” explained a health official. “The effectiveness of the vaccine also depends on the individual’s overall health condition.”
The District Animal Husbandry Department reports vaccinating 3,249 stray dogs against rabies between January and September, with a significant increase in September alone. Officials attribute the rising stray dog population to the improper disposal of waste in public areas.
This tragedy follows the death of an 11-year-old girl in July, who succumbed to rabies after being scratched by her pet cat. The two cases highlight the ongoing threat of rabies in the region and the urgent need for effective management of stray animal populations.
First Piper 