Dog Bite Cases On the Rise in Karachi

KARACHI- As many as 22,982 dog bite cases have been reported throughout Karachi in 2017; however Sindh Health Department has failed to establish vaccination centres in district health facilities.

The dog bite cases have been reported in Rabies Centre Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), Anti-Rabies Clinic, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Rabies Prevention Center Indus Hospital, Karachi, respectively. Out of total 22,982 dog bite cases, 9,982 were reported in CHK, 7500 in JPMC and 5500 in Indus Hospital.

The majority of dog bite cases were reported from slums areas of Ibrahim Hyderi, Surjani, North Karachi, New Karachi, Baldia, Orangi, Keamari, Mehmoodabad, Liaquatabad, Federal B Area and Golimar. Children and elderly people generally become victims of dog bites.

Although the incidence of dog bites in Pakistan is very high but an estimated 2000-5000 rabies deaths occur annually in the country and 100,000 others become victims of dog bite each year; however, these are unverified numbers provided by National Institute of Health (NIH) over a decade ago.

In Karachi, three hospitals serve majority of dog bite victims: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and The Indus Hospital (TIH).

Rabies is a preventable disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected animals. However, in Pakistan 99 per cent cases are caused by dog bites.

The Sindh Health Department and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) have failed to launch comprehensive campaign against stray dogs. The plan of Sindh government to introduce Anti-Rabies Vaccine in five hospitals of Karachi including Sindh Government Hospital Korangi, Sindh Government Hospital New Karachi, Sindh Government Hospital Ibrahim Haideri, Rural Health Center Gadap and Rural Health Center Malir has also yet to be materialized.