Rabies remains one of Pakistan’s most deadly yet neglected public health crises. Rabies is endemic in Pakistan, and human infections are mostly diagnosed based on clinical symptoms alone. It was estimated that 2,000 to 5,000 people die of rabies every year.
However, people in rural areas often cannot access the treatment they need because of a lack of hospitals, availability of tissue culture vaccines, and public awareness. Dogs are responsible for 99% of human rabies deaths. The number of stray dogs is increasing, yet no humane measures are being taken to manage them.
Efforts to produce and distribute vaccines have also faced significant challenges. In 2016, more than 97,000 recorded cases of dog bites were reported by basic health units alone. Furthermore, Pakistan has reported 2,490 rabies-related deaths, ranking third in the world for the highest number of fatalities.
According to WHO, over 55,000 people are killed by rabies annually, with over 31,000 of those deaths occurring in Pakistan alone, mostly of children. To make a difference, authorities must invest in large-scale dog vaccination campaigns and raise public awareness.
Nida Azeem
Pidrak
