Rabies claims another life

Health experts say over 15,000 dog bite incidents reported this year

KARACHI:

A 65-year-old man has died of rabies in the city, highlighting growing concerns over the increasing number of stray dog attacks in Karachi.

The victim, a resident of Haroonabad, was under treatment at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) after contracting the fatal viral disease Rabies. Hospital sources said the patient did not receive timely medical treatment following a dog bite, and by the time symptoms appeared, his condition had become critical. He passed away a day after being admitted.

According to the Sindh Health Department, at least six people have died of rabies in the city so far this year. Officials also revealed that more than 15,000 dog bite cases have been reported in Karachi alone, indicating a worsening public health situation.

Karachi is currently facing a growing stray dog population, with an estimated hundreds of thousands of stray dogs roaming across residential areas, streets, markets, and open spaces.

Medical experts have urged citizens to seek immediate vaccination after any dog bite, warning that rabies is almost always fatal if not treated promptly. They stressed that timely administration of anti-rabies vaccines can prevent the disease and save lives.