Benito Jiménez / Reform Agency
Wednesday, December 28, 2022 | 20:43
Mexico City.- One of the children who was allegedly bitten by a bat in Oaxaca, died this Wednesday of possible rabies, reported the Oaxaca Health Secretariat (SSO).
“On the afternoon of this Wednesday, December 28, the unfortunate death of a seven-year-old male patient, originally from the town of Palo de Lima, municipality of San Lorenzo Texmelucan, who was admitted to the General Hospital ‘Doctor Aurelio Valdivieso’. the agency reported.
On December 1, two girls, ages 8 and 2, and a seven-year-old boy, who are brothers, were attacked by animals in that municipality, which is located about 100 kilometers from the Oaxacan capital.
The patients were admitted to the medical unit due to health complications after suffering a bite from the wild animal.
It also reported that in the last 24 hours no change has been reported regarding the health status of the 8-year-old female patient, originally from the same town, who is currently under sedoanalgesia and mechanical ventilation.
“The minor will continue with comfort measures and under medical treatment, however the health prognosis remains serious,” said the SSO.
Of the smallest, it was indicated in the past days that she has no symptoms and responds favorably to treatment.
The agency pointed out that the laboratory results of the patients are still awaited by the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE).
It has not yet been determined via the laboratory that it is rabies, said the Undersecretary of Health Hugo López-Gatell yesterday.
“But (the minors) are being treated as if it were rabies, they are being given prophylactic treatment, this means using the vaccine and a product called immunoglobulin, which is an antibody that neutralizes the rabies virus in case it is have”, he detailed during the morning conference.
The rabies virus, he said, is transmitted mainly among wild animals such as bats, especially those that feed on blood, but also coyotes, badgers and raccoons.
He added that Palo de Lima, in the municipality of San Andrés Texmelucan, located more than four and a half hours from Oaxaca capital, is a community with very high marginalization conditions and that the closest health center is two and a half hours from the location.
The official ruled out the merit of activating a health alert.
