The male patient who was bitten by a rabid dog in Sarpang and placed in the intensive care unit has died. According to the Gelephu hospital, the 35-year-old man passed away at around 6pm yesterday from a suspected infection of the rabies virus to the brain.
The hospital says they are awaiting lab test results from India to confirm this.
The deceased is one of four human casualties and several animals bitten by dogs in the district which reported an outbreak of rabies last month.
The three other patients who are schoolchildren were vaccinated and are said to be fine.
Meanwhile, a health official, said they visited all households individually in Taraythang where the first case was reported and vaccinated all suspected cases.
He said similar initiatives are currently ongoing in nearby places and will be done across the district. He added no new cases have been reported and that the situation is now under control.
A mass anti-rabies vaccination for all dogs and cats is also currently being carried out in Sarpang.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen