Authorities' inaction worsens dog-bite epidemic

A rabies infected dog undergoing severe behavioral changes is quite likely to bite out of confusion. Therefore, when the government fails to meet the scheduled targets of the four-year birth control and anti-rabies vaccination program for strays, dog bite cases will surge in hospitals.

According to Anti-Rabies Units in government and private hospitals, more than 500 people are brought daily for treatment after being bitten by stray dogs, with most incidents occurring in Orangi, Malir, Gadap, Landhi, Korangi, Azizabad, Baldia, Lyari, Liaquatabad, Surjani Town, and surrounding localities. Treatment ranges between Rs1,500 and Rs5,000, depending on the severity of the wounds. "The number of stray dogs has surged across Karachi, causing severe public distress. Dog-bite cases are rising, and despite claims of scientific interventions, progress remains painfully slow. Several government hospitals lack facilities for dog-bite treatment, forcing citizens to purchase vaccines privately," said Mohammad Wasif from Azizabad.

Similarly, Mumtaz Zehra from North Nazimabad Block N revealed that stray dogs in her area had increased to the point where residents feared stepping outside. "The helpline 1093 has been out of service for days," noted Zehra. According to statistics released by the Civil Hospital Karachi, more than 12,500 dog-bite patients were treated in 2025 alone. Monthly figures include: January 1,461 cases, February 1,241, March 1,381, April 1,172, May 1,329, June 1,035, July 1,175, August 1,199, September 1,238, and October 1,366.

Medical Superintendent at the Civil Hospital, Dr Khalid Bukhari revealed that in 2024, the hospital treated 17,973 new dog-bite cases along with 19,855 ongoing cases. "Immediately after a dog bite the wound must be washed with soap. Patients should then seek hospital treatment without delay. Due to the expanding stray-dog population, dog-bite cases are continuously increasing," confirmed Dr Bukhari.

Although not all dogs carry the rabies virus, the impossibility of identifying a rabies-infected dog necessitates that every victim receives an anti-rabies vaccination. Severely injured patients, especially those with torn flesh or exposed bone, require immunoglobulin injections in addition to anti-rabies vaccines, which include doses on day 0, day 3, and day 7, with constant monitoring.

Dr Syed Nawaz Al-Huda, a regional planner, opined that although the High Court discouraged the poisoning of stray dogs in 2016 and demanded humane alternatives to control breeding, the Sindh government had failed to deliver. "The plan initiated in 2019 to vaccinate 150,000 dogs was formulated without any survey, even though the stray-dog population has now grown into hundreds of thousands. The project must be redesigned and implemented at the Union Council level, with support from the Town and UC Chairmen," said Dr Al-Huda.

Samira Hussain, Project Director of the Rabies Control Program, claimed that work on controlling stray-dog breeding has been underway for four years. "Although the Sindh government approved the project in 2019, practical implementation began in 2021. The government adopted modern scientific methods to curb breeding. With dog-bite cases now rising, the government has planned to establish centers in 13 cities of Sindh, including Karachi," informed Hussain.

A budget of Rs960 million was allocated to vaccinate, neuter, and spay 150,000 dogs in Karachi and interior Sindh to reduce breeding and eliminate rabies. However, delays in funding prevented the four-year target from being achieved. So far, a total of 30,729 dogs have been vaccinated against rabies, and 19,449 dogs have been neutered and spayed. "Only 25 per cent of the allocated funds were released over four years hence hindering progress," said Hussain.

Hussain revealed that with the available budget, six centers were set up in Karachi while centers for Sukkur, Tando Allahyar, Larkana, Thatta, Hyderabad, Badin, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, and Umerkot were still pending but planned. Although the project was scheduled to conclude in June 2025, the deadline has now been extended by one year.