Dog-bite cases soar, rabies deaths mount
Stray dogs wandering the city expose rising negligence by authorities, putting public safety and workers at risk. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/Express
A surge in dog-bite cases has turned into a public health emergency in the metropolis, with over 25,000 cases reported in the first half of the current year and at least 17 deaths caused by rabies.
Official data shows that between January and June, a total of 25,216 people were bitten by stray dogs, as the unchecked canine population continues to pose a serious threat to Karachiites.
The latest case involves a 28-year-old woman from Ajmer Nagri, who has been diagnosed with rabies nearly six weeks after being bitten by a stray dog. Hospital officials said she had not received anti-rabies vaccination, allowing the virus to spread to her brain and enter a critical stage.
So far this year, 11 rabies-related deaths have been reported at Indus Hospital and six at JPMC. Doctors at JPMC said the newly admitted patient is the seventh rabies case at the facility, warning that survival chances are negligible once symptoms appear.
Dog-bite cases continue to mount at major public hospitals. Civil Hospital Karachi treated 7,541 cases over six months, Indus Hospital 10,500, and JPMC recorded 7,175 patients.
JPMC Emergency In-charge Dr Irfan Siddiqui told The Express Tribune that more than 7,000 dog-bite victims had been brought to the hospital during the period. He said six deaths had already occurred, and the current patient, showing advanced symptoms, is unlikely to survive.
He added that while most victims are middle-aged, a spike in cases among children has been witnessed during June and July, as summer vacations lead to increased outdoor activity.
Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, Dr Siddiqui stressed that dog-bite wounds must be washed with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by immediate vaccination - preferably within hours. In severe cases, Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) is also required.
He warned that incomplete vaccination can prove fatal and explained that dog-bite exposure is classified into three categories, with severe cases involving deep wounds or bites to the face, head, neck or hands requiring urgent and comprehensive treatment.