Teenager dies of rabies despite being vaccinated in Karachi

Published June 1, 2026 Updated June 1, 2026 08:57am
In this 2019 file photo, a Rabies Free Karachi worker vaccinates a dog with the help of a local child. — Photo courtesy The Indus Hospital/File
In this 2019 file photo, a Rabies Free Karachi worker vaccinates a dog with the help of a local child. — Photo courtesy The Indus Hospital/File

KARACHI: A teenage boy died of rabies despite being vaccinated three months ago at a public sector hospital in the city, it emerged on Sunday.

Dr Irfan Siddiqi, in-charge of the emergency department at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), told Dawn that the 13-year-old patient was brought to the hospital on May 26 at around 11am.

He said the boy had been bitten by a stray dog around three months ago and had received a full dose of immunization at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

“When he was brought to JPMC, he was suffering from fever for 10 days, fits for one day and irritability [hydrophobia]. He was admitted to the neuromedical ward where he expired during treatment at 3:30pm on the same day,” he said, adding that the boy was a labourer by profession.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026

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