World Rabies Day: Despite possible prevention, dog bites consume precious lives unabated
Srinagar, Sep 27: This year, at least three people, including a 6-year old child, lost life to rabies in Kashmir. The deaths could not be averted by anything that doctors at the hospital did, but a timely schedule of vaccines, after dog had bitten these victims, could have saved them from the painful end. Rabies kills. Everyone.
Rabies has caused more deaths in J&K than what is recorded in databases, experts believe. Earlier this year, a young child from Rajouri lost life to the deadly virus after a dog bite. Days after, a Srinagar youth died of rabies at SMHS Hospital. Less than a month ago, a six year old child from Kulgam became the latest victim of the deadly disease.
Experts attribute deaths to delays in seeking care. "Fear of injections, callousness towards animal bites and avoiding parental anger keeps kids silent about bites," notes said Prof (Dr) S Saleem Khan, Head Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar. Dr. Khan said by the time symptoms show, it's too late, and death is certain. Rabies is always fatal post-onset, he said.
The Kulgam child was bitten by a dog, and died at Government Children Hospital Srinagar, less than a day after admission. He was brought to the hospital after he had developed symptoms of rabies. Dr Ishaq Malik, Neonatal Gastroenterologist and Incharge of Pediatric ICU at the hospital said no treatment, anywhere in the world, can save a person from rabies if symptoms develop. "This is so unfortunate, and so preventable," he said.
The case comes amid an uptick in rabies deaths across J&K. Official data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, shows zero reported fatalities in 2022, but increased to four in 2023 and five in 2024. The year is not yet over, but there are fears that deaths could be even higher this year. As per data, 51,000 dog bite incidents reported in 2024 alone. This is quite a spike from 2022's 22,110 cases. India accounts for 36 percent of global rabies deaths. As per estimates, 18,000 to 20,000 people in India lose life to rabies. Most of the victims are children under 15 years of age, often due to unreported bites.
J&K's vulnerability is manifold due to an uncontrolled and ever increasing stray dogs population. The Animal Birth Control measures have failed to take off. The figures swell due to unchecked breeding. In Srinagar, the Municipal Corporation (SMC) reportedly sterilized over 850 strays in about 25 days.
