06-08-2025
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
