Policy No. OG[protected] valid up to 16 August 2009. Claim No: OC[protected]-00000510
I had to undergo emergency vaccination for rabies in USA where I am studying. The claim was denied by Bajal Allianz saying that under clause 2.2. “routine physical or other examination where there is no objective indication of impairment of normal health” the claim is not accepted.
In other words, I would have to wait until I get the symptoms of rabies before I can get treated, and, everyone knows that once its sets in rabies is FATAL. Therefore any suspected exposure to animal suspected to be carriers of rabies has to be treated with vaccination.
I will draw attention here to information that anyone should be able to understand and a qualified medical practitioner would be able to verify.
1. Please refer to extracts below taken from the Center for Disease Control website: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/types.html
Nonbite exposures from terrestrial animals rarely cause rabies. However, occasional reports of rabies transmission by nonbite exposures suggest that such exposures should be evaluated for possible PEP administration.
The contamination of open wounds, abrasions, mucous membranes, or theoretically, scratches (potentially contaminated with infectious material from a rabid animal) also constitutes a nonbite exposure.
2. While I was woken from my sleep due to contact with the bat I cannot confirm whether or not I was bitten by the bat as bat bites are often difficult to spot and usually painless. Rabies CAN be transmitted through non- bite exposure.
3. Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear and therefore waiting to see if there is ' positive impairment of health' is not an option. In my case, I was advised by the Maine CDC and Dr. Michael Green to get immediate post exposure vaccination as a treatment for accidental exposure to bats.
I have written to Bajaj Allianz, but they are yet to respond to my request.
I would request your forum to intervene.
Sincerely,
Ankita Chowdhury
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