Woman bitten at home by a stray dog! The dog involved died after 3 days and was confirmed to carry rabies virus! Multiple local authorities respond️

Recently, a stray dog attack incident occurred in a residential community in Jiaozuo City, Henan Province. A resident, Ms. Xin, was bitten by a stray dog that followed her into her home and then entered the premises. After testing, the dog’s rabies virus result was positive.

The front door wasn’t shut properly

A stray dog followed into the home and launched a surprise attack

According to Ms. Xin’s recollection as the victim, at the time of the incident, children were visiting her home to play. Because the front door was left partially open, a stray dog followed into the house. “I rushed downstairs from my apartment building, and the dog was already at the edge of the cage. I wanted to drive it out, but it wouldn’t leave, and then it suddenly bit my leg.” Ms. Xin described. After being injured, she immediately went to the hospital for treatment. The doctor diagnosed that her wound fell under the most severe “Category III exposure” among rabies exposure levels, requiring immediate management.

What is even more concerning is that, after the community property management brought the stray dog under control, the dog died three days later. Subsequent testing results showed that the dog carried the rabies virus and tested positive.

Property management response:

Willing to coordinate or proceed through legal procedures

A person in charge of Jiaozuo New Tiandi Property Management Co., Ltd. responded to the incident, saying that after the stray dog died, the property had contacted relevant departments immediately, including the city management and the police station. As they explained, the dog itself was suspected of being ill, and the relevant departments, following standard procedures, carried out harmless disposal of the dog (burial). Meanwhile, the property conducted two rounds of comprehensive disinfection in the area where the dog had moved.

The person in charge said that in daily management they had strengthened patrols: “Security guards patrol once every two hours, and other staff also inspect within the residential area. If stray animals are found, they will be driven away immediately.” Regarding responsibility and compensation for this incident, the property said they are willing to first negotiate with the homeowners. “If negotiation fails, we’ll go through legal procedures—that would be relatively fair and just.”

Street office:

Waiting for the results of the police investigation

The incident also drew attention from the street office in the jurisdiction. Hu Haiting, a staff member of the Jiaozuo City Wenyan Street Office, said that they need to wait for further investigation results from the public security authorities. “If it involves other jurisdictions, we will also report it to the relevant departments in the district.” She also pointed out that within the street’s jurisdiction, they will further strengthen disinfection work in public areas, and do solid work in publicity and education on prevention and control of rabies and related knowledge.

Experts issue an urgent reminder:

Category III exposure requires immediate standardized handling

In this incident, Ms. Xin’s situation—penetrating skin injuries with bleeding—falls under a high-risk rabies exposure (Category III exposure).

What is rabies exposure?

Rabies exposure refers to being bitten, scratched, or having saliva from a rabid, suspected rabid, or host animal whose rabies status cannot be determined, or having such saliva licked onto mucous membranes or damaged skin, or having an open wound or mucous membrane directly come into contact with saliva or tissue that may contain the rabies virus.

In simple terms: if the skin is broken or mucous membranes come into contact with the saliva of a suspected animal, it counts as exposure.

Exposure is divided into three categories

According to the way of contact and the degree of exposure, rabies exposure is divided into three categories:

Special reminder: If the exposure is confirmed as Category II and the person has severe immunodeficiency, or if for Category II exposure the wound is located on the head or face and the health status of the animal causing the injury cannot be determined, it should be handled as Category III exposure.

“Three-step” handling after exposure

Step 1: Wash the wound promptly (can be done at home first)

Once exposure occurs, immediately alternate rinsing the wound with soap water (or other weakly alkaline cleaning agents) and running water for at least 15 minutes. This step is crucial and can reduce the amount of virus in the wound to the maximum extent. After rinsing, disinfect the wound with iodine tincture or 75% medical alcohol.

Step 2: Go to a regular clinic for assessment and management

Go to the nearest rabies exposure prevention and management outpatient clinic as soon as possible. A professional doctor will assess the exposure category and develop a management plan. Currently, there are two rabies post-exposure vaccination procedures approved by the country:

5-injection regimen: 1 dose each at days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28;

“2-1-1” regimen: 2 doses on day 0, and 1 dose each on days 7 and 21.

Step 3: Category III exposure requires injection of passive immunization products

For those with Category III exposure (and for Category II exposure that requires Category III handling), calculate the dosage of passive immunization products such as immunoglobulin and serum based on the recipient’s body weight, and use all the required doses at once. This can provide “immediate protection” before antibodies are produced by the vaccine.

Remember

Make sure to close the door!

Xinmin Evening News (xmwb1929) compiled with help from Xiao Li, Nanchang CDC, Urban Scene, and Jimu News

Editor: Wei Jiāwéi

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