Dog Bite Cases are on rise In Maharashtra, Mumbai tops the list with 41,828 dog bite cases in 2023. According to the civic body, it is important for people to avoid provoking dogs. If bitten, they should immediately seek medical assistance at civic dispensaries where anti-rabies vaccines are available. The doctor will assess the severity of the injury and determine the appropriate vaccine dosage. It is crucial not to overlook or disregard the need for vaccination.
The actual figure of dog bite cases could be higher as private hospitals, which treat a large number of such patients, often don’t report them to the BMC. viral disease that impacts the central nervous system, causing severe neurological symptoms and, ultimately, death. It spreads through the saliva of infected mammals, with transmission commonly occurring through bites. In 2017, a total of 75 people died due to rabies, decreasing to 66 in 2018. The numbers surged to 78 in 2019. During the Covid-19 pandemic, with limited outside movement, fatalities dropped to 35. In 2021, following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, the numbers rose to 56. In 2022, fatalities stood at 51.
Insufficient resources for stray dog sterilization and vaccination, coupled with citizens limited first-aid training and delayed care after dog bites, contribute to the increasing rabies cases. Rabies is a Among these, dog bites are the most common mode of spread. Survival is rare once clinical symptoms of rabies appear, despite the availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Emphasizing the critical need for prompt vaccination after potential exposure, rabies is nearly universally fatal. However, in rural areas, obtaining post-exposure vaccine after a bite can be challenging, leaving many without this crucial treatment.
From January till June, Maharashtra officially reported 3,89,065 dog bite cases. At 41,828, Mumbai has the highest share followed by Thane (36,060), Palghar (13,301) and Raigad (13,598) districts.The state tallied 17 fatalities in the same period.
