24-year-old Birgitte Kallestad from the Norgwegian west coast passed away last Monday. Two months before, she contracted rabies while traveling with friends in the Philippines.
The friend group reportedly came across a stray dog on the road and took it back to their resort. After washing the dog, the friends played with it outside. All of them sustained minor scratches and bites - nothing unusual to anyone who has ever owned a puppy. According to Brigitte’s family, they did not think it was necessary to seek medial attention.
After Brigitte returned home to Norway, she started to feel unwell and first symptoms included fever and a headache. The symptoms gradually worsened. The young woman passed away last Monday.
“Our dear Brigitte loved animals,” the family said, adding that their fear was “that this will happen to others who have a warm heart like her.”
Rabies is treatable. However, if untreated, it can lead to a rare but life-threatening infection of the brain and nervous system.
Those traveling to certain regions in Asia and Africa should always take precautions.
Brigitte’s family are currently calling upon politicians to make rabies vaccines compulsory for those traveling in countries where the viral disease is prevalent.
