Dog-bite victim ‘died of rabies’, to be buried in Dukhan

The body of Indian expatriate Mariswamy Subramanium (pictured), who died about a month ago after being bitten by a dog in India will be laid to rest in Qatar today or tomorrow, one of his friends told Gulf Times yesterday.Meanwhile, tests carried out in a research facility abroad, commissioned by the local authorities, revealed that he had died of rabies infection, the friend added. The victim’s father and brother-in-law are expected to arrive from India this morning to complete the formalities. However, it is doubtful if the two will be able to see his body as the local health rules do not allow opening of the coffin in such cases.The two, though, will be able to accompany the concealed coffin to the burial ground in Dukhan, it is understood.Indian humanitarian worker Abdul Salam Palakkad and two of Subramanium’s colleagues - P M Ganeshan and Mohamed Shafeeq - are making arrangements to complete the formalities.Subramanium, a 25-year-old bachelor who was working with a local electrical contracting firm, was attacked by a stray dog in his southern Indian home state of Tamil Nadu while he was on a vacation there in March. However, he did not take any treatment as he was leaving for Qatar the following day. Also, Subramanium did not seek medical assistance even after arriving in Doha. After he developed some unusual symptoms a few days after resuming duty, he was taken to hospital by his employer. Subramanium’s colleagues then found out from his family members that he had been bitten by a dog while visiting his sister’s place in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. He was admitted to hospital in the first week of April and died 15 days later.The dog-bite incident took place in the third week of March, inquiries found.