Banaskantha man recovers swiftly after rabies-like behaviour, doctors seek answers

Doctors at Palanpur Civil Hospital are puzzled after a young man from Nalasar village in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, who showed rabies-like behaviour, recovered within 24 hours. 

The youth had been bitten by a rabid dog nearly three months ago and suddenly started behaving like a dog on January 30. He was rushed to the hospital, where his condition improved rapidly after treatment. He is now talking normally and taking food. 

Civil hospital superintendent Dr Sunil Joshi said, “Such recovery is impossible if it is actual rabies,” suggesting a possible brain-related issue instead.

However, doctors have not ruled out rabies completely. An RT-PCR test of saliva and other medical tests will be conducted to confirm the diagnosis, as per reports.

As per local officials, on January 30, the man, who works as a farm labourer in the village, was bitten by a dog believed to be rabid around three months ago. At the time, he did not seek medical attention or receive the recommended anti-rabies vaccination. 

Villagers reported that the man had recently begun displaying unusual and aggressive behaviour, which caused panic in the area. As his condition worsened, residents restrained him to prevent harm to himself or others before alerting authorities.

Health officials advised that the failure to take timely preventive treatment may have allowed the virus to spread in his body.