Thalassery: A young man’s right hand had to be amputated following a severe infection caused by a fish bite while cleaning a pond. The incident took place in Payikkatt Kuni, near Madapppeedika, affecting T. Rajesh (38).

On February 9, while cleaning a small pond near his house, Rajeesh was pricked by a sharp spine from a local fish known as "Kadu," similar to a catfish. Though he did not take it seriously, his pain worsened and he sought medical treatment at the Kodiyeri Primary Health Center and received vaccination.

When the pain persisted, he consulted doctors at hospitals in Palloor and Mahe. Slowly, his hand became immobile, and blisters started forming on his fingers and palm. A surgeon in Mahe examined the blisters and suspected a serious condition, referring him to Kozhikode’s Baby Memorial Hospital. There, he was diagnosed with gas gangrene, a rare but severe bacterial infection.

This condition affects only one in a hundred thousand people. Initially, two of his fingers were amputated, but as the infection did not subside, doctors had no choice but to remove his entire hand. The infection was caused by Clostridium and Klebsiella bacteria, commonly found in soil. These bacteria enter the body through the wound.

Rajesh, who had lost his job at Kannur Spinning Mill, had been making a living by raising cattle.

Gas gangrene, caused by Clostridium bacteria, is extremely rare but highly dangerous. The infection spreads rapidly through the body and can be life-threatening. In Rajesh’s case, amputation was the only option to save his life.

— Dr. K.S. Krishnakumar, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode