A 33-year-old man from Daund taluka died of rabies while undergoing treatment at Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital in Baner, nearly three months after being bitten by a stray dog, health officials said on Friday.
The deceased, Mahesh Rajendra Nagwade, was an accountant with the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank in Dahitane, Daund, around 40 km from Pune. He succumbed to the infection late Wednesday night despite having received anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin, officials confirmed.
Bite incident and initial treatment
According to health authorities, Nagwade was bitten by a stray dog on November 6, 2025, near his home in Khamgaon village. The bite resulted in a six-centimetre lacerated wound behind his right knee.
He was first treated at Yavat Rural Hospital, where he received a tetanus injection, and was later referred to Sassoon General Hospital, where he was administered the first dose of anti-rabies vaccine and serum. However, officials said it could not be confirmed whether the complete vaccination schedule was followed.
Symptoms appeared after weeks of stability
Nagwade remained stable for several weeks before developing classic rabies symptoms on February 3, including hydrophobia and aerophobia. He was rushed back to Yavat Rural Hospital, referred again to Sassoon Hospital, and later admitted to Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Despite intensive care, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died on February 4.
Doctors stress immediate wound care
Confirming the death, Dr Sudhir Patsute, head of Naidu Hospital, stressed the importance of immediate wound washing with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by timely vaccination and immunoglobulin for category II and above bites.
Health officials warned that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but is entirely preventable with correct and timely post-exposure treatment, as outlined by the World Health Organisation.