5-year-old Indian girl battles life-threatening sepsis after tiger scratch in Pattaya during ‘photo-ops’

A five-year-old girl from India faced a life-threatening condition after a tiger scratch during a "photo-op" experience in Pattaya, Thailand. The incident occurred in June when the family visited a park housing tigers used for entertainment purposes. One of the animals scratched the little girl, leading to a severe bacterial infection known as sepsis, reported The Times of India.

The girl initially received treatment at a hospital in Thailand, but developed rashes and high fever within two weeks of returning to India. She was subsequently admitted to Max Hospital in Delhi on July 10 with symptoms including fever, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and respiratory complications. Dr. Priyanka Sinha, from the hospital’s paediatrics and immunology department, revealed the girl required broad-spectrum antibiotics, four to five days of ventilator support, and intensive cardiovascular care.

Her condition worsened on the fifth day, resulting in a bacterial respiratory infection. Dr. Ramalingam Kalyan, the principal director of paediatrics at the hospital, noted that the girl's inflammatory markers improved, and she was taken off the ventilator and transferred to high-flow oxygen by the seventh day. The girl was eventually discharged after 13 days, without any neurological deficits.

The doctors emphasized the critical importance of assessing even minor animal bites or scratches, as they can transmit life-threatening infections. Large felines, such as tigers, can carry rare oral bacteria like Pasteurella multocida, Capnocytophaga species, and Neisseria weaveri, which can cause rapid and severe infections in humans.

The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of wild animals as props for entertainment and selfies, along with important concerns about the safety and welfare of both animals and tourists.