A heartbreaking incident at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Kamareddy has left the community in mourning and raised urgent questions about medical protocols in the state. Kritharsa, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, died on February 1 shortly after receiving what was intended to be a life-saving medical intervention, anti-rabies injections. Similar case in Thane: Dog Bite Incident in Thane: Minor Boy Dies Weeks After Being Bitten by Stray Dog in Bhiwandi; Hospital Says Victim Received Anti-Rabies Shots As Local MLA Alleges Negligence.

Timeline of The Tragedy

The ordeal began on January 25, when the young girl was bitten by a stray dog. Her father, Ramesh, acted swiftly, seeking immediate medical attention. The treatment plan followed a standard multi-dose vaccination schedule:

  • January 25: First dose administered.

  • January 28: Second dose administered.

  • February 1: The child returned for her third dose.

Tragedy struck moments after the third injection. The toddler fell unconscious within the hospital premises and was declared dead shortly thereafter.

The Investigation: Negligence vs. Viral Progression

The sudden nature of the death has led to a multi-pronged investigation. While the family alleges medical negligence, leading to a formal police case against the duty doctor, medical experts are exploring several critical factors:

Forensic Analysis: GGH Superintendent Dr. Venkateswarlu has stated that the exact cause of death is pending a forensic post-mortem report. Viscera and blood samples have been sent to laboratories for toxicological and pathological screening.

Vaccine Reaction: Hospital officials maintain that immediate fatalities from the rabies vaccine are extremely rare, suggesting the cause may lie elsewhere.

Severity of the Bite: Experts are investigating if the initial wound was a "Category 3" bite (deep or near the head/neck). In such cases, the virus can travel to the central nervous system rapidly, potentially outpacing the immune response triggered by the vaccine shot.

Treatment Protocol: A key point of the probe is whether Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG), essential for immediate viral neutralisation in severe bites, was administered alongside the first vaccine dose.

A Climate of Fear and Backlash

This tragedy does not exist in a vacuum. It has occurred against a backdrop of rising public anxiety regarding stray animals in Telangana. In recent weeks, this fear has manifested in a controversial and illegal state-wide "cleansing" effort. Bengaluru Dog Attack: Woman Receives 50 Stitches After Pet Pit Bull Mauls Her During Morning Walk in HSR Layout.

Background Context: Reports indicate that over 1,100 stray dogs have been killed across various districts in the past month. In Hanumakonda, Jagtial, and Kamareddy itself, hundreds of carcasses have been discovered in mass pits. These cullings, allegedly orchestrated by local officials to fulfil campaign promises, highlight a desperate but illegal response to a failing public health and animal management system. Mass Dog Killing in Telangana: Over 1,100 Strays Killed in 30 Days; What’s Driving the Brutal Cull?

The Kamareddy police are continuing their inquiry, and the medical community awaits the forensic results to determine if this was a failure of medicine, a failure of administration, or an unstoppable viral progression. For the family of Kritharsa, the search for answers remains as painful as the loss itself.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 03, 2026 09:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).