Rabies costs Punjab 3rd life in October

Elderly dog-bite victim from Jaranwala dies in Mayo Hospital

LAHORE:

A 70-year-old man from Jaranwala has died of rabies at Mayo Hospital. The deceased, Anwar, had been bitten by a dog about two months ago.

He initially sought treatment at the Nankana Sahib District Headquarters Hospital before being transferred to Mayo Hospital on October 17 after his condition deteriorated. He was admitted to the isolation ward, where he remained under treatment until his death.

Doctors diagnosed him with rabies and recorded cardiopulmonary arrest as the immediate cause of death. This was the third fatality caused by rabies in Punjab this month. Rabies is preventable through timely medical intervention after exposure but once clinical symptoms develop, it is almost invariably fatal.

According to figures attributed to the Punjab health authorities, the province has recorded 70,586 dogbite cases during the ongoing year, including 30,514 in Lahore.

However, a confirmed provincial tally of confirmed rabies cases is not available. A report submitted by the health and population welfare department to the Lahore High Court had shown that Punjab had recorded 232,704 dog-bite incidents in 2024, 243,299 in 2025 and 38,586 in the first three months of 2026.

The figures indicate that dog bites have remained a persistent public health problem. Provincial authorities had directed the local governments and district health authorities earlier this year to address stray dog populations, ensure the safe disposal of animal carcasses and coordinate efforts to reduce attacks.

The health services directorate general had also underscored the need for uninterrupted supply of rabies vaccine, prompt treatment and the recording of dog-bite cases on the District Health Information System dashboard.

The government also took measures based on the Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release (CNVR) approach alongside municipal campaigns in high-risk areas, public awareness initiatives and improvements in waste management.