Johnson Student Savagely Mauled by Rabid African Canine
By Zachry Galen Brown JGSM '10
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Features
WARNING: The events described herein are unsubstantiated. We have striven to recreate violent events for which no accurate record exists in the name of informing you, our Reader, of a grave threat to your safety: rabies. Please discontinue reading if you are easily offended or you have a propensity to send hate mail to the Editors.
Two CDC officials watched the young woman convulse behind the curtain of a make-shift ward in Ghana's Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The mood was apocalyptic. The woman's auburn hair had matted in sweaty locks, forming a mane around her clenched jawline.
"That's my baby," sobbed Mrs. Wilkinson. "Look what that beast did to my little Courtney."
The officials had flown to Africa following reports that Ghanaian authorities were preparing to "put down" an American after she had contracted rabies. Suddenly, the woman brayed a deep, unintelligible wail, thrusting herself toward the onlookers, constrained by the leather cords strapping her limbs to the bed.
"Courtney, honey, it's mommy. Please, Courtney. Don't bite!"
"She's gone, Mrs. Wilkinson," said the official. "Ole Yeller's not comin' home."
* * *
Think you are impervious to rabies? Think again. Last summer, Johnson's very own Courtney Wilkinson was bitten by a rabid dog while traveling in Africa (seriously). Fortunately, Courtney is alive and well, and the scene described above is a complete fabrication of what could have happened, had Courtney not immediately sought medical assistance following the attack.
Since we never interviewed Courtney about the attack, we cannot say for certain what medical care she received. She may have received the standard treatment of five shots to the arm, with one shot applied near the site of the bite. However, in light of the attack's occurrence in Ghana, it is possible Courtney did not have access to the latest advancements in rabies care. Perhaps she received the traditional treatment of twenty-three hypodermic needles through the abdominal wall, a treatment not known for pleasantness. Regardless, we are certain Courtney received some treatment within ten days of infection. Left untreated, rabies has a 100% mortality rate: death by asphyxiation follows failure of the central nervous system.
It is impossible to know what the dog was thinking when it attacked Courtney in its state of viral psychosis. However, we imagine the following.
* * *
The feral dog paced at a distance, its eyes blackened with fury. Foam coated its snout, glistening in the East African sun. It had stalked the woman since sunrise. The girl had stopped at a village to distribute contraceptives to school children left orphaned by stampeding elephants. The woman's altruism enraged the canine. Without warning, the dog pounced, knocking the woman on her back, pinning her against the hard red earth. The woman screamed as fangs punctured her thighs-her body trapped beneath a frenzy of rabid exuberance.
Twelve seconds after the attack had begun, the dog lay still, shot down by a villager named Bobo.
* * *
Of course, the mauling described above is a complete fabrication of how the attack transpired. In order to present an actual chronology of events, we would have needed to interview Courtney about her experience. For the record, Courtney is alive and well-a survivor of rabies and an exemplar of heroism.
This summer when you are traveling in Africa, remember to be alert. Rabid African canines can strike at any time. Before you leave, ask your internist to give you the rabies vaccine. This three-shot series runs about $600, but it will save your life! Keep your Bowie knife close in hand. And, always stay clear of stray dogs. They are likely rabid and will hunt you down!
Postscript
This just in! The CBJ has learned that Courtney Wilkinson was NOT bitten buy a rabid dog. Rather, a savage kitten named PawPaw carried out the ferocious attack. Also, Courtney received her rabies treatment on the posh shores of Nantucket-becoming the island's first WASP infected with the virus. Not someone to let rabies get her down, Courtney subsequently brought her rabies treatment and syringes to Australia, where she vacationed for the remainder of the summer before orientation.
Two CDC officials watched the young woman convulse behind the curtain of a make-shift ward in Ghana's Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The mood was apocalyptic. The woman's auburn hair had matted in sweaty locks, forming a mane around her clenched jawline.
"That's my baby," sobbed Mrs. Wilkinson. "Look what that beast did to my little Courtney."
The officials had flown to Africa following reports that Ghanaian authorities were preparing to "put down" an American after she had contracted rabies. Suddenly, the woman brayed a deep, unintelligible wail, thrusting herself toward the onlookers, constrained by the leather cords strapping her limbs to the bed.
"Courtney, honey, it's mommy. Please, Courtney. Don't bite!"
"She's gone, Mrs. Wilkinson," said the official. "Ole Yeller's not comin' home."
* * *
Think you are impervious to rabies? Think again. Last summer, Johnson's very own Courtney Wilkinson was bitten by a rabid dog while traveling in Africa (seriously). Fortunately, Courtney is alive and well, and the scene described above is a complete fabrication of what could have happened, had Courtney not immediately sought medical assistance following the attack.
Since we never interviewed Courtney about the attack, we cannot say for certain what medical care she received. She may have received the standard treatment of five shots to the arm, with one shot applied near the site of the bite. However, in light of the attack's occurrence in Ghana, it is possible Courtney did not have access to the latest advancements in rabies care. Perhaps she received the traditional treatment of twenty-three hypodermic needles through the abdominal wall, a treatment not known for pleasantness. Regardless, we are certain Courtney received some treatment within ten days of infection. Left untreated, rabies has a 100% mortality rate: death by asphyxiation follows failure of the central nervous system.
It is impossible to know what the dog was thinking when it attacked Courtney in its state of viral psychosis. However, we imagine the following.
* * *
The feral dog paced at a distance, its eyes blackened with fury. Foam coated its snout, glistening in the East African sun. It had stalked the woman since sunrise. The girl had stopped at a village to distribute contraceptives to school children left orphaned by stampeding elephants. The woman's altruism enraged the canine. Without warning, the dog pounced, knocking the woman on her back, pinning her against the hard red earth. The woman screamed as fangs punctured her thighs-her body trapped beneath a frenzy of rabid exuberance.
Twelve seconds after the attack had begun, the dog lay still, shot down by a villager named Bobo.
* * *
Of course, the mauling described above is a complete fabrication of how the attack transpired. In order to present an actual chronology of events, we would have needed to interview Courtney about her experience. For the record, Courtney is alive and well-a survivor of rabies and an exemplar of heroism.
This summer when you are traveling in Africa, remember to be alert. Rabid African canines can strike at any time. Before you leave, ask your internist to give you the rabies vaccine. This three-shot series runs about $600, but it will save your life! Keep your Bowie knife close in hand. And, always stay clear of stray dogs. They are likely rabid and will hunt you down!
Postscript
This just in! The CBJ has learned that Courtney Wilkinson was NOT bitten buy a rabid dog. Rather, a savage kitten named PawPaw carried out the ferocious attack. Also, Courtney received her rabies treatment on the posh shores of Nantucket-becoming the island's first WASP infected with the virus. Not someone to let rabies get her down, Courtney subsequently brought her rabies treatment and syringes to Australia, where she vacationed for the remainder of the summer before orientation.
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