Kerala Human Rights Commission directs setting up medical team to probe recent rabies deaths

Kerala’s State Human Rights Commission initiated action relating to the recent rabies infection deaths in the state. Niya Faisal, 7, who died of rabies on May 5 was the third vaccinated victim in Kerala to succumb to the viral disease within a month. A 12-year-old from Pathanamthitta died on April 9 before a six-year-old girl from Malappuram on April 29—both despite receiving the vaccine.

 

Justice Alexander Thomas, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, has issued an order to appoint a medical team under the leadership of the Director of Medical Education to investigate the causes of the deaths that occurred in recent days following rabies infection.

Also read | Stray dog bite risks explained: Why rabies vaccine can't always ensure a person's survival?

The commission’s order stated that the medical team must investigate whether the deceased had received the anti-rabies vaccine, whether the vaccination protocol was followed, the efficacy of the vaccines administered to them, and whether the vaccines were stored properly without deterioration. The commission also said that the report should also include the measures being taken to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring in the future. The team has to submit the investigation report to the commission within one month.

 

The Human Rights Commission has also directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department to examine the efficacy of the vaccines used in government hospitals and submit a report. The commission asked to verify whether the rabies vaccines used in Kerala meet the quality standards recommended by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which functions under the Union Ministry of Health. The report should also mention which agency is competent to test and study the quality of the rabies vaccines.

Also read | Critical rabies case in Kerala girl raises vaccine effectiveness concerns

Notably, the doctors who treated Niya maintained that the vaccine's efficacy should not be questioned, explaining that the virus may have reached her nerves before the vaccine-induced antibodies had time to act.

 

Justice Alexander Thomas has urged the government to consider appointing an agency recommended by the NCDC to study the recent incidents and to suggest preventive measures. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department must submit a report within one month regarding the implementation of such recommendations.

 

The Commission also ordered the Deputy Director of Medical Education and a representative of the Health Secretary to appear at a sitting scheduled to be held at the Commission’s office on June 9. The Commission took the measures on a case registered suo motu based on media reports.

Health