India's alarming animal bite cases highlight urgent need for rabies control
Some cities and states have seen dramatic jumps in reported bites. For example, Noida witnessed a 31% increase in cases in a single year, and Ludhiana's numbers have more than doubled since 2021. Across the nation, cases have jumped by nearly 70% from 2022 to 2024. With millions of reported bites each year and the numbers still climbing, the risk of rabies exposure has sharply increased.Why Is This Happening?The main culprits behind human rabies are stray dogs, which account for about 96% of cases in India. Several challenges make the problem worse:Unchecked stray animal population, especially dogsInadequate animal birth control and vaccination programsLack of public awareness of how to prevent bites and seek help after exposurePoor access in some areas to anti-rabies clinics and life-saving treatmentsThe Danger of RabiesRabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms set in, but it is entirely preventable if treated immediately after an animal bite. On average, dozens of people die from rabies every year in India, with children and the elderly at higher risk. The real number could be higher, as not all cases get reported.What Can Be Done?Experts and health authorities are calling for urgent, coordinated measures:Mass dog vaccination: This is the most effective way to control rabies at its source. States like Goa have shown that targeting dog vaccination and population management can lead to a sharp drop in human rabies cases.Stray animal population control: Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs are being expanded and are essential for long-term solutions.Better public awareness: People need to know that washing animal bite wounds with soap and seeking medical help immediately can save lives.Free and accessible anti-rabies treatment: More anti-rabies clinics are being set up, and vaccination and immune globulin are provided free through national programs like the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP).Rapid response for bite cases: Prompt administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and, in some cases, rabies immunoglobulin.Government InitiativesIndia has launched the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Rabies (NAPRE) with a target to be rabies-free by 2030. The government is also pushing for strict enforcement of rules on animal welfare and dog population management.What Should You Do If Bitten?Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.Visit a healthcare facility for immediate anti-rabies treatment.Follow the full vaccination schedule as advised by doctors.Report the incident to the authorities if it involves a stray animal.advertisementAnimal bites in India have become a public health crisis, with millions at risk of a deadly but preventable disease. Stronger rabies prevention, more effective animal control, and public education are urgently needed to save lives and work towards a rabies-free future(Dr. Sadanand D Raut is a consultant physician and renowned animal bite (snakebite) expert based at Vighnahar Nursing Home, Narayangaon, Pune, celebrated for his pioneering work in snakebite treatment and Mission Zero Snakebite Deaths. He and his team have saved thousands of lives in rural Maharashtra, earning him recognition on the World Health Organization's roster of experts for snakebite envenoming.- Ends
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India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
India's alarming animal bite cases highlight urgent need for rabies control
India has seen a worrying surge in animal bite cases, especially those caused by stray and authorities are raising alarms about the link between these bites and rabies, a deadly disease that can almost always be prevented with timely Rise in Animal Bite CasesIn 2024 alone, India recorded over 22 lakh (2.2 million) dog bite cases and more than 5 lakh cases involving other animals like monkeys. Reports indicate that nearly 20% of bite victims are children under the age of 15, making this a serious public health concern. The trend is especially visible in urban areas, but rural regions are also heavily Some cities and states have seen dramatic jumps in reported bites. For example, Noida witnessed a 31% increase in cases in a single year, and Ludhiana's numbers have more than doubled since 2021. Across the nation, cases have jumped by nearly 70% from 2022 to 2024. With millions of reported bites each year and the numbers still climbing, the risk of rabies exposure has sharply Is This Happening?The main culprits behind human rabies are stray dogs, which account for about 96% of cases in India. Several challenges make the problem worse:Unchecked stray animal population, especially dogsInadequate animal birth control and vaccination programsLack of public awareness of how to prevent bites and seek help after exposurePoor access in some areas to anti-rabies clinics and life-saving treatmentsThe Danger of RabiesRabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms set in, but it is entirely preventable if treated immediately after an animal bite. On average, dozens of people die from rabies every year in India, with children and the elderly at higher risk. The real number could be higher, as not all cases get Can Be Done?Experts and health authorities are calling for urgent, coordinated measures:Mass dog vaccination: This is the most effective way to control rabies at its source. States like Goa have shown that targeting dog vaccination and population management can lead to a sharp drop in human rabies animal population control: Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs are being expanded and are essential for long-term public awareness: People need to know that washing animal bite wounds with soap and seeking medical help immediately can save and accessible anti-rabies treatment: More anti-rabies clinics are being set up, and vaccination and immune globulin are provided free through national programs like the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP).Rapid response for bite cases: Prompt administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and, in some cases, rabies InitiativesIndia has launched the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Rabies (NAPRE) with a target to be rabies-free by 2030. The government is also pushing for strict enforcement of rules on animal welfare and dog population Should You Do If Bitten?Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and a healthcare facility for immediate anti-rabies the full vaccination schedule as advised by the incident to the authorities if it involves a stray bites in India have become a public health crisis, with millions at risk of a deadly but preventable disease. Stronger rabies prevention, more effective animal control, and public education are urgently needed to save lives and work towards a rabies-free future(Dr. Sadanand D Raut is a consultant physician and renowned animal bite (snakebite) expert based at Vighnahar Nursing Home, Narayangaon, Pune, celebrated for his pioneering work in snakebite treatment and Mission Zero Snakebite Deaths. He and his team have saved thousands of lives in rural Maharashtra, earning him recognition on the World Health Organization's roster of experts for snakebite envenoming.- Ends
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Dog bite cases surge in Punjab, 1.5 lakh cases reported in first 6 months
With an average of around 840 dog bite cases reported daily, Punjab has witnessed a sharp increase in incidents this year. In the first six months of 2025, the state has recorded over 1.5 lakh dog bite cases, with Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala being as the worst-affected districts, accounting for nearly 36% or 53,432 cases. With an average of around 840 dog bite cases reported daily, Punjab has witnessed a sharp increase in incidents this year. In the first six months of 2025, the state has recorded over 1.5 lakh dog bite cases, with Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala being as the worst-affected districts, accounting for nearly 36% or 53,432 cases. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image) Last year, the state reported a total of 2.13 lakh dog bite cases. The data, accessed by HT, has revealed a steady jump in cases over the past few years. From 1.10 lakh cases reported in 2020, the number of dog bite cases has gone up to 2.13 lakh in 2024, a rise of more than 1 lakh in four years. Three deaths have been reported this year. Last month, a mother-daughter duo died of rabies in Pathankot, and on July 17, a 32-year-old man succumbed in Patiala after being bitten by a stray dog. Dr Sumeet Singh, district nodal officer of the National Rabies Control Programme, said that rabies is 100% fatal. 'Of the total cases of dog bites, nearly 70% of the cases were from stray dogs. People should immediately rush to the nearest government health centres for treatment, which is free. People should not be ignorant at all. Punjab government has now extended treatment of dog bite cases to all the Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state,' he said. Failure of sterilisation programmes The senior officials from the local bodies department admitted that the animal birth control (ABC) programme has failed to deliver the desired results across Punjab, particularly in major cities. 'Most of the municipal corporations in Punjab have outsourced the sterilisation of dogs to private agencies, but this has not yielded effective outcomes. Sterilisation remains the only scientifically proven method to control the stray dog population and, in turn, reduce dog bite incidents,' said a senior official, who didn't wish to be named. An expert epidemiologist said that of the total dog bite cases, more than 50% of patients had grade-3 wounds, who needed immunoglobulin to be administered before the dog bite vaccine, said the epidemiologist. A grade-3 dog bite is a single or multiple transdermal bite with contamination of the mucous membrane with saliva. 'The grade-3 bite requires anti-rabies serum (ARS) before the anti-rabies vaccine, to make the dose effective. Without ARS, the vaccine is of no use as the victim may die within a few days,' the expert said. Patiala municipal corporation commissioner Paramvir Singh said after seeing a rise in the cases, they have stopped outsourcing the sterilisation programme. 'Instead of giving a contract for the sterilisation of stray dogs to a third party, we have decided to carry it out ourselves. We have got three veterinary surgeons with us, and we will sterilise 50 dogs per day in the coming weeks,' he said. Dr Sandeep Jain, co-opted member, Animal Welfare Board of India, said a lack of follow-up and accountability in sterilisation efforts has seen a sharp rise in the dog population. 'In rural areas, panchayats are not involved in the ABC programme. There is no accountability in rural and semi-urban areas. In rural areas, stray dogs get used to eating animal flesh because of designated places for the disposal of dead animals. If these strays don't get animal flesh, they start biting people. If the government sterilises 70% of the stray dog population in a year, then dog bite cases will start to decline,' he said. No SOP for dog bite compensation The Punjab health department is yet to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the government doctors on whose diagnosis the compensation for dog bite cases would be fixed. The department had constituted a five-member committee to formulate SOPs following the order of the Punjab and Haryana high court, last year, announcing the compensation of ₹10,000 for each tooth mark and that of ₹20,000 for every 0.2 cm of wound where the flesh is torn off. One of the five committee members, pleading anonymity, told HT that they had already formulated the SOP, but the department did not issue it to the doctors. Dr Arshdeep Kaur, state nodal officer, did not respond to repeated calls and text messages.
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Business Standard
29-07-2025
- Business Standard
Rise in stray dog bites turns Indian streets unsafe for children, elderly
India is witnessing a sharp rise in dog bite cases, with over 3.7 million incidents and 54 confirmed human rabies deaths reported in 2024. The figures, compiled by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the National Rabies Control Programme, highlight the growing public health challenge. Analysis of data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shows that incidents of dog bite in India have increased by nearly 70 per cent between 2022 and 2024, signalling a larger systemic failure in managing stray dog populations. Deaths caused by rabies also witnessed a sharp increase during the period. This trend threatens India's target of eliminating rabies by 2030 under its National Rabies Control Programme. Elderly and children are more vulnerable Children are particularly at risk due to their vulnerable size, limited awareness, and tendency to interact with animals. Experts note that younger children are more likely to suffer bites to the head, neck or face, making injuries more severe and traumatic. According to Health Ministry data, dog bite cases involving children under 15 were reported across India between January and December 2024 with most attacks involving stray dogs in residential neighbourhoods, school zones, or while playing outdoors. The elderly are also vulnerable to dog bites due to slower reflexes, reduced mobility, and sensory impairments like poor vision or hearing, which make it harder to detect or respond to aggressive behaviour of stray animals. The use of walking aids can also startle stray dogs, while underlying health conditions and weakened immunity increase the risk of complications from even minor bites. Centre and civic bodies plan action On July 28, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the growing problem of stray dog attacks across the country, particularly those leading to rabies and fatalities. The court's action came after it came across a report in The Times of India titled 'City hounded by strays and kids pay price', highlighting the dire situation in urban areas like Delhi where children are frequent victims. The move underscores the urgent need for stronger intervention, especially in capital cities struggling to contain the crisis. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced plans to form dedicated committees and establish shelter homes to better control and manage the city's growing stray dog population. A citywide survey is also being planned to estimate the current number of community dogs on Delhi's streets- a much-needed move, as the last dog census was conducted in 2016 and only covered the southern region. The survey had revealed that just 40.3 per cent of male dogs and 27.8 per cent of female dogs had been sterilised. Animal welfare experts and civic authorities agree that mass sterilisation, timely vaccination, and increased community awareness are essential strategies to curb the stray dog population and reduce bite incidents.
