Man dies after stray dog attack

At least 25 persons reportedly died during treatment for rabies in the province in 2019


​ Our Correspondent January 03, 2020
PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: A youth who had been attacked by stray dogs died during treatment for rabies at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on Thursday morning.

Shahid Iqbal, 20, who hailed from the remote areas of Shikarpur, was brought to the hospital early on Wednesday morning. The deceased, who had hydrophobia, had reportedly been attacked by stray dogs three months ago. The body was transported to Shikarpur.

According to Iqbal's father, he was the only educated person in the family, having completed his matriculation.

"We tried hard but we were unable to save the young man," said JPMC executive director Dr Seemin Jamali, who stated that there are 100 per cent chances of mortality in the case of rabies.

"The patient was not given good guidance," she added, saying that his parents, on the advice of local doctors, had taken him from one place to another looking for treatment. She said that he could have survived if he had been vaccinated in time.

Peshawar’s stray dogs to receive humane treatment

On Wednesday, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said that with the help of the federal government, he would provide anti-rabies vaccinations.

"There is a dearth of the vaccination," he disclosed. "We will also help to control the stray dog population," he pledged.

He said that the situation would become more critical if dog bite cases were not controlled.

He said that the Centre, including the federal health minister, would also provide support if the provinces approached it for any help in the health sector.

Over 200,000 dog bite cases were reported last year while at least 25 persons have reportedly died during the treatment in 2019.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2020.

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