A 13-year-old schoolgirl from the Philippines, Jamaica Star Seraspe, tragically passed away due to rabies after hiding the fact that she was bitten by a stray dog. Jamaica's struggle began on February 9, as she walked home from school in Tondo District, Manila, when a stray dog attacked her. Fearing she would be scolded, she concealed the incident, claiming she had simply scratched herself on a metal wire.
However, two months later, Jamaica began experiencing severe symptoms, including fever, back pain, fatigue, and difficulty drinking water. It was then that she finally confided in her mother, Roselyn Saraspe, about the dog bite. On April 5, Jamaica was rushed to San Lazaro Hospital, where her condition rapidly deteriorated, resulting in her unfortunate death the next day.
Jamaica's mother described the heartbreaking moment she realized the severity of her daughter's condition, expressing regret that they had not sought medical attention sooner. The autopsy report confirmed Jamaica's cause of death as rabies encephalitis, highlighting the deadly consequences of delaying treatment for such infections.
Local authorities revealed that the dog responsible for Jamaica's bite had attacked seven others in February before succumbing to the disease itself. In response to this tragedy, Roselyn issued a heartfelt warning to other parents, urging them to take animal scratches and bites seriously and seek immediate medical attention.
Jamaica's own messages, written before she died, revealed her inner pain and acceptance of her fate. She expressed tremendous sadness at the thought of leaving her loved ones behind and stressed the significance of increasing awareness about rabies transmission.
Dr. Juancho Bunyi, Muntinlupa City Health Officer, emphasized the urgency of treating animal bites promptly, highlighting the rapid spread of the rabies virus through the body. Jamaica's symptoms are an acute indication of the consequences of untreated rabies infections.
This tragic incident underscores the need for vigilance in dealing with animal bites and scratches, as well as the importance of timely medical intervention. Jamaica's early death acts as an important example of the severe effects of failing to treat such injuries promptly.
The tragic story of Jamaica Star Seraspe is an appropriate context for the significance of seeking medical assistance for animal bites and scrapes as soon as possible. Her untimely death underscores the urgency of raising awareness about rabies prevention and treatment, ensuring that others do not suffer a similar fate.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)
