Preventing rabies

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Karachi is facing a worsening rabies crisis due to a lack of preventive measures and access to life-saving vaccines. So far this year, over 8,000 dog-bite cases have been reported at just three major hospitals — JPMC, Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi and Indus Hospital. Six people have died from rabies, a disease that is fatal once symptoms appear but entirely preventable with timely vaccination.

The only way to stop rabies deaths is through immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes thorough wound cleaning, a series of anti-rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) injections. However, many bite victims — especially in low-income areas — do not receive timely treatment due to the unavailability of vaccines in district-level health centres. This delay proves fatal, as rabies has no cure once it progresses.

Prevention must be the government's priority. First, the Sindh health department must ensure that every public hospital, particularly district and taluka-level health centres, has an adequate stock of anti-rabies vaccines and RIG. A centralised tracking system should be introduced to prevent shortages.

Additionally, emergency response units specifically for dog-bite cases should be set up to provide immediate treatment, particularly in high-risk areas. More importantly, the spread of rabies must be tackled at its source. Mass dog vaccination is the most effective long-term solution. International studies have shown that vaccinating 70% of the stray dog population can break the rabies transmission cycle. The Sindh government must launch a large-scale canine vaccination drive instead of ineffective and cruel culling measures, which have repeatedly failed to control rabies.

Rabies is entirely preventable, yet Karachi continues to see needless deaths. The government must act prudently before more lives are lost to a disease that should no longer be a threat.