At least 2,000 people die of rabies every year as healthcare facilities frequently run short of anti-rabies vaccines
ABSOR: The population of stray dogs is increasing rapidly in Pakistan, especially Karachi. However, this seems to be much more of a global phenomenon as well. According to a report, at least 59,000 people die of rabies annually as a result of being bitten by infected dogs around the world. Most of these deaths, they pointed out, occurred in Africa and Asia while up to 60 per cent of all dog-bite and rabies deaths occurred in children under 15 years of age.
According to experts, Pakistan is also among the countries seriously affected by rabies. It is estimated that 2,000 to 5,000 people die of the disease every year as healthcare facilities frequently run short of anti-rabies vaccines. Every year 28 September is celebrated as World Rabies Day with the aim of preventing the spread of the disease. The day never ever suggests us to kill the animals to control the occurrence of rabies death rather the day provides us with an opportunity to eliminate the disease by vaccinating the stray dogs. There should be awareness campaigns on every street of the country to make sure that the public is aware of rabies, its prevention and treatment. The government should find an alternative to killing stray dogs.
Bakhtiyar Phullan
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2019.
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