Gujarat: A tragic incident took place in Gujarat a few days ago when a married daughter of a senior IAS officer died of rabies, and the matter has now gone viral on social media and sparked widespread discussion. The woman, who was the daughter of an IAS officer who had previously worked as the Chief Secretary of the Gujarat government and retired, was heading an educational institution. She was working in a famous school in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
She was bitten by a Beagle breed pet dog 4 months ago. The dog was also given an injection. But on December 30, she developed symptoms and was admitted to a private hospital there. However, she died on January 17 due to lack of treatment. The incident took place when a school staff member brought the Beagle breed dog to the school 4 months before her death. They ignored it, thinking it was a normal bite as they had a dog at home. They had not even taken the vaccine.
But on October 17, 2025, the beagle dog died of rabies. After the incident, the school management sent a message to parents and staff, advising anyone who came in contact with the dog to get the rabies vaccine immediately. The school made rabies vaccines available on site. But by the end of December, the woman’s health deteriorated sharply and she was immediately admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad. However, she died on the 19th day of treatment.
Her body was taken to the Gandhinagar Sector-30 crematorium under strict safety protocols as she died of rabies. Since the death was due to rabies, the body was carefully packed and cremated in an electric crematorium, officials said. She was around 50 years old.
How does one get rabies?
According to the health department, rabies, also known as hydrophobia, is a severe viral infection. It is always fatal. It is classified as a contagious disease and is caused by the bite of an infected animal, the virus is transmitted through saliva. Farm animals such as dogs, cows, horses, goats and rabbits, as well as wild animals including jackals, bats, foxes and hyenas can be infected with rabies. In India, although domestic animals are generally vaccinated, stray dogs are a common source of infection. But here, the infection has been transmitted from a vaccinated pet dog.
So, whether it is a pet dog, a stray dog, or a pet in your household, if you are bitten by it, do not ignore it and immediately go to the nearest health center and get an anti-rabies injection.