Hi all, urgent request, can you help with information?  Mother of 4 1/2 mo
old breastfed (with tiny Qx solids) 8.3 kg baby boy was bitten on Tuesday
afternoon by a dog that has since been confirmed to have rabies.  Mother
received rabies vaccine within about 4 hours of the bite, another shot
approx 48 hours after that and is to receive further shots in the next two
weeks.  Yesterday (2 days after the bite) she was advised to suspend
breastfeeding because of the risk of infecting the baby.  Baby is refusing
formula by bottle.

I have recommended offer the baby water/juice for fluids and increase solids
for food, start expressing the breasts to prevent engorgement/maintain
breastmilk supply but reserve the milk until I can find out more.

Can rabies be transmitted to the breastfed baby through breastmilk?  Hasn't
the baby already been exposed at the time of greatest risk?  Is there a
problem with the baby receiving vaccine-laced breastmilk?  HELP!!!

Many thanks.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
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