A 13-year-old girl in the Philippines died of rabies two months after being bitten by a stray dog. Jamaica Star Seraspe initially hid the incident from her parents and sought medical attention only after developing serious symptoms. Jamaica was bitten by the stray dog while walking home from school in February. She feared being scolded if she told her parents about it, so she kept it a secret.
Two months later, Jamaica began experiencing fever, back pain, fatigue, and difficulty drinking water. She finally admitted to her mother, Roselyn Saraspe, what had happened. Jamaica was rushed to the hospital, but her condition worsened rapidly. She was admitted to the San Lazaro Hospital on April 5, where she died the following day.
A heartbroken Roselyn said her daughter tried to be brave throughout her ordeal. Jamaica even sent messages to her own account, chronicling the days before her death. In the messages, she expressed her fear and regret for not seeking medical attention sooner.
Jamaica’s death serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for animal bites. Rabies is a fatal disease, but it can be prevented with proper vaccination and treatment.
Health officials urged pet owners to be responsible and ensure their animals are vaccinated. They also advised parents to teach their children about the dangers of animal bites and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if bitten.
The village authorities said the dog that bit Jamaica had also attacked seven other people in February. It was caught by local officials, but died at the veterinary clinic eight days later.
