22-Year-Old Kabaddi Star’s Death Due To Sparks Wake-Up Call; What You Must Know About Dog Bites
The cause of death of a promising kabaddi player who was preparing for the 2026 Pro Kabaddi League has shocked the nation. 22-year-old Brijesh Solanki who was a state-level Kabaddi player from Uttar Pradesh, died of Rabies after being bitten by a puppy he rescued weeks ago.
It is now learnt that the rabies related medical complications leading to the death of Brijesh Solanki could have been averted had the gold medallist player from the state championships taken an anti-rabies vaccine instead of assuming that the bite or scratch was harmless or possibly one caused by practice during his contact sport.
According to a study by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland (UK), rabies is the 10th biggest cause of death due to infectious diseases worldwide
The same study report says that the annual worldwide death toll to be blamed on rabies is around 50 000–60 000, with 99 per cent of those tragic deaths occurring in tropical developing countries such as ours. Around 36% of these rabies-related deaths occur in India every year, with dog bites being responsible for 95-97% of these cases.
Hold your breath – “The annual estimated number of dog bites in India is 17.4 million, leading to an estimated 18 000–20 000 cases of human rabies per year,” says the study.
Due to a lack of interventions on the part of the various stakeholders (citizens, medics, government, etc.) in implementing the preventive measures (that could have actually helped reduce the loss and burden), India has the largest contribution to worldwide rabies mortality.
ABP Live spoke to Dr. P Shiva Kumar, Sr. Consultant and Head of Department - Emergency Medicine, CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, Hyderabad, to understand how we, the citizens can better understand the seriousness of the grave disease and learn about first aid after a dog bite or a scratch and the urgent need to consult a doctor after exposure.
Here’s what Dr P Shiva Kumar told us:
ABP Live: What is rabies?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: Rabies is a deadly viral infection that affects the central nervous system, leading to inflammation in the brain. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is 100% preventable with timely vaccination after exposure.
ABP Live: Does rabies commonly come from dog bites?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: Yes, most rabies cases happen because of dog bites, especially in India. But it can also come from cats, monkeys, and even bats if they are infected.
ABP Live: What happens when a patient showing signs of rabies is brought into the ER?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: By the time symptoms like fear of water, confusion, or aggression show up, it's usually too late. We can only give supportive care. That’s why acting early, right after the bite, is so important.
ABP Live: How much of a chance do doctors have of saving a person at this stage?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: Very little. Sadly, once symptoms start, the chances of survival are almost zero. That’s why we always stress: don’t wait, take the vaccine immediately after any suspected animal bite.
ABP Live: What is the first aid for a dog or animal bite?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: Wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 10–15 minutes. This simple step really helps. Then clean with antiseptic and go to a doctor as soon as possible for vaccination.
ABP Live: What treatment protocol exists for animal bites?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: After cleaning the wound, the person should get anti-rabies injections as per schedule. If the bite is deep or near the face or head, doctors might also give rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) for extra protection.
ABP Live: If a person has strong immunity, can they skip the anti-rabies vaccine?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: No, never. Rabies doesn’t care how strong your immunity is. If there’s a bite or scratch from a possibly infected animal, the vaccine is a must. It’s the only way to stay safe.
ABP Live: Children normally hide animal bites from parents. How to make them understand the risk?
Dr. P Shiva Kumar: Talk to your kids gently. Tell them it’s not about getting scolded; it's about staying safe. Make sure they know it's okay to tell you if an animal bites or scratches them, even if they were playing. Promise them you'll help, not punish.
Kirti Pandey is a senior independent journalist.
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