🐀 Shocking Real Rat Bite Cases in India: Babies, ICU Patients & Students Attacked While Sleeping
🦝 When Rats Attack: True Stories of Rodent Bites in India’s Urban Spaces
Rats biting humans may sound like something out of a horror movie — but these aren’t fictional tales. They’re real incidents that occurred in hospitals, slums, hostels, and homes across India. In this blog, we explore several harrowing cases, backed by reputable sources and embedded links, showcasing how rodents can turn deadly threats when hygiene fails.
1. 👶 18‑Day‑Old Baby Bitten—and Killed—by a Rat in a Mumbai Slum (2013)
In Malwani, a slum in Mumbai, a devastating incident shook the community: an 18-day-old infant found with deep wounds on the head, later confirmed to be from a rodent bite. Despite being taken to hospital, the baby unfortunately passed away. This tragedy highlights how vulnerable newborns are in under-resourced living conditions.
Source: August 2013 case linked via coverage of rat attacks in slums.
2. 😱 ICU Patient Bitten by Rat Near Eye in Mumbai Hospital (June 2021)
At Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, a critically ill 24-year-old on a ventilator woke up to discover a rat had bitten him near the eye. The bite was deemed “superficial,” but the incident prompted an official probe by the Mumbai Mayor. The patient later succumbed to his other health issues. The hospital cited garbage and poor door security near ground-level ICUs as likely culprits. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
3. 🏥 Ten‑Day‑Old Baby Dies After Rat Bite in Andhra Pradesh ICU (2015)
In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, a ten-day-old newborn in ICU succumbed after being bitten by a rat—reports mentioned the bites included her hand and face. The health minister ordered an investigation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
4. 👦 One‐Year‐Old Nearly Loses Fingers After Rat Bite in Mumbai (2011)
In Colaba, Mumbai, a toddler sleeping on the floor was bitten on the finger by a rat. Though the initial wound was small, it developed into compartment syndrome, requiring surgery to prevent gangrene. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
5. 🏫 Eight Students Bitten in Telangana School Hostel (Feb 2025)
In a startling February 2025 incident at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Vikarabad, eight girls were bitten by rats while sleeping in their hostel. The district administration identified wall cracks and active rodent infestation, and responded by sealing holes and ramping up pest control. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
6. 👧 Six Girls Bitten in Tekulapally Welfare School (April 2025)
In April 2025, six girls at the Telangana Social Welfare Residential School in Tekulapally were bitten by rats while sleeping. Annual reports showed over 20 victims per year. The school blamed nearby garbage, vegetation, and poor drainage for the infestation. Students reported terrible fear, often feeling rats crawling on them at night. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
7. 😢 Student Paralyzed After 15 Rat Bites & Vaccine Overdose (Dec 2024)
In Khammam’s BC Welfare Hostel, Class 10 student Samudra Laxmi Bhavani Keerthi was bitten 15 times by rats between March and November 2024. She was repeatedly given anti-rabies injections. Allegations arose that overdose led to partial paralysis. The case sparked outrage calling out both rodent control and medical negligence. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Telangana Today | India Today | Siasat.com | New Indian Express
🔍 Why These Incidents Are Increasing
- Poor sanitation & dense living conditions: Garbage piles, broken walls, open drains create ideal rodent habitats—common in slums, hostels, and older public buildings.
- Structural vulnerabilities: Gaps in ICU doors and floors, hostel walls, or hospital sewage allow rats easy entry.
- Neglect in pest control: Many affected institutions delayed regular fumigation or trap installations.
- Medical & administrative lapses: Cases like overdose of anti-rabies shots point to weak oversight and clinical protocols.
🩺 Health Risks from Rat Bites
Beyond immediate wounds, rat bites can introduce serious infections. Among key risks:
- Tetanus – requires prompt immunization.
- Rabies – bites mean rabies prevention treatment is mandatory.
- Bacterial infections like rat-bite fever, Leptospirosis, Plague in rare cases.
- Compartment syndrome – dangerous swelling that can cut off circulation, as seen in the toddler’s case in Colaba.
🏡 Prevention & Policy Measures
1. Infrastructure Repair
Sealing cracks in walls, installing wire mesh on vents, ensuring proper door closures—these helped stop rats in schools like Vikarabad.
2. Regular Rodent Control
Institutions should adopt frequent pest inspections, employing glue boards and safe bait traps. Fumigation must be scheduled, not reactive.
3. Waste & Drainage Management
Clearing garbage piles and fixing drains around residences and public buildings removes food sources and nesting spaces for rodents.
4. Health Protocols
Immediate wound cleansing and assessment, followed by vaccinations and antibiotics. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
5. Administrative Accountability
Active monitoring by city bodies, regular audits of hygiene standards, timely medical responses, and public transparency are vital components.
📚 Case Comparison Table
| Incident | Location & Year | Victim(s) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby bitten in Mumbai slum | Malwani, 2013 | 18-day-old | Fatal |
| ICU patient bitten near eye | Mumbai hospital, 2021 | Adult | Bite + probe; patient later died of other issues |
| Infant bitten in Andhra ICU | Guntur, 2015 | 10-day-old | Fatal |
| Toddler’s finger bitten | Colaba, 2011 | 1-year-old | Surgery saved fingers |
| Girls in hostel bitten | Vikarabad, 2025 | 8 schoolgirls | Non-fatal; pest control applied |
| Tekulapally hostel bites | Telangana, 2025 | 6 girls | Non-fatal; over 20/year |
| Repeated bites & paralysis | Khammam, 2024 | Class 10 girl | Partial paralysis alleged due to vaccine overdose |
📌 What You Can Do
- At home: Seal cracks, store food airtight, maintain cleanliness.
- In public institutions: Demand hygiene audits, pest control, and accountability.
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