Child scratched by rabid dog in Tbilisi unidentified

Georgian State agencies are currently grappling with the challenge of locating a child who was scratched by a rabid dog along the Kakheti highway in Tbilisi a few days ago. Complicating the identification process is the absence of surveillance camera coverage in the vicinity of the Gulf gas station where the incident occurred.

The National Food Agency received information about the scratched child on Monday, wherein the reporting party claimed that the dog responsible had since died. The individual urged for a laboratory examination of the dead stray dog.

In response, the National Food Agency, on the evening of Tuesday, disclosed that the dog had indeed tested positive for rabies. An urgent appeal was issued to the public to aid in locating the teenager.

Nino Jibladze, head of the marketing service at Gulf shared on Facebook, relying on information from a vegetable store seller, that “the parents promptly administered a rabies vaccine to the child.” Over the subsequent days, they monitored the condition of the now deceased dog.

A rabies vaccine is recommended in instances of animal bites, scratches, or saliva exposure to open wounds. The vaccine regimen varies, with some cases requiring three injections, and others, five, as determined by a medical professional. Failure to vaccinate can result in fatal consequences if the individual is infected.