A 45-year-old woman has died from rabies in Patara Chorjo village, Ambrolauri municipality. According to the Ministry of Health, this marks the first case of rabies-related death in Georgia since November 2022.
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A 45-year-old woman likely contracted rabies from a puppy in February. According to the National Food Agency, her family had acquired a puppy from Kutaisi, which subsequently became ill and died under unknown circumstances. The agency has not received any details regarding the dog's demise.
"The woman did not seek anti-rabies treatment, and symptoms of rabies began to manifest on July 6, exhibiting typical clinical signs of the disease. The case was officially registered on July 11 and tragically resulted in her death the same day. Laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of rabies," stated the Ministry of Health.
In response to the incident, quarantine measures have been enforced in Ambrolauri municipality, prohibiting the movement of animals in public areas. City Hall reports that 19 individuals who were in contact with the deceased have been vaccinated, with efforts ongoing to identify others potentially at risk.
Citizens are urged to exercise utmost caution and, if necessary, contact Gabriel Chikvaidze, head of the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regional division of the National Food Agency, at 595 221 148, or call the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture hotline at 1501.
In the event of exposure to the rabies virus, timely vaccination is the only means to save a person. Immediate washing of any bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure with soap and water, followed by consultation with a rabies specialist, is crucial.
In March 2023, three rabies cases were reported in Ambrolauri municipality, prompting quarantine measures across the area. All three cases involved infected dogs. In April, a rabies case was identified in Martvil municipality, Samegrelo, where a homeless dog bit multiple people before succumbing to the disease in a shelter.
Rabies is a zoonotic viral infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. Transmission occurs through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva from an infected animal on mucous membranes, open wounds, or damaged skin. Animals with rabies typically exhibit behavioral changes such as restlessness, refusal of food and water, excessive drooling, aggression, and indiscriminate biting. Some may also show neurological symptoms such as paralysis or altered vocalizations.
