Masalani: An elderly man died on Monday in Masalani, Ijara Sub-county in Garissa after disregarding instructions to complete the full dose of anti-rabies injections prescribed by his doctor after he was bitten by a hyena.
According to Kenya News Agency, the deceased, Ibrahim Gaamey, aged over 70, passed away as he was being rushed to the Garissa County Referral Hospital from Masalani Sub-county Level 4 Hospital. He had been taken there by his family on Friday when his condition worsened in Sankole village, Sangailu division of Ijara Sub-county.
A village elder, Mohamed Gure, reported that Gaamey was bitten two weeks ago by the marauding beast when he rushed out of his hut around midnight to respond to a distress call from his daughter-in-law. Her house had been invaded by the canine. The hyena, in a desperate search for water, had entered the house after being poisoned through a bait following a series of attacks on several manyattas.
Gure explained that the deceased confronted the rabid hyena at the doorway of his daughter-in-law’s house, resulting in the animal biting him on the right hand. He was initially rushed to the Masalani Sub-county Hospital, where he received the first of three prescribed anti-rabies jabs to stabilize his condition.
According to Dr Abdi Malik, who spoke to KNA at the Masalani Sub-county Hospital, Mzee Gaamey was discharged with instructions to return for the subsequent injections to complete his treatment dose but failed to follow through with the review.
Last Saturday, Gaamey’s condition deteriorated, and he began exhibiting erratic behavior, including making strange howling cries. This forced his family to rush him back to Masalani Sub-county Hospital, where Dr Malik recommended that he be referred to the Garissa Teaching and Referral Hospital. Unfortunately, he died on the way to the hospital.
The medic cautioned residents against ignoring instructions by medical personnel to complete prescribed doses for any ailment, warning that such behavior may turn out to be costly and fatal.
