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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/03/30/stories/2007033022080400.htm)

Andhra Pradesh

-

Hyderabad

& nbsp; & nbsp;

 

Dog bite cases on the rise

 

 

 

M. Sai Gopal

 

 

IPM receives 53,437 cases in 2005-06

 

 

 

Dog bite cases up from 3,777 in August last to 4,871 cases this month Figures

pertain only to those who go to IPM for treatment

 

 

 

 

HYDERABAD:

 

The twin cities annually register nearly 50,000 cases of dog bite. If you find

this unnerving, take a deep breath, there is more to come. In the last six

months, the number of people bitten by dogs has gone up from 3,777 in August

last to a whopping 4,871 cases this month, as on Thursday.

 

These figures could be far higher because only those patients who cannot afford

to go for private treatment of dog bite come to the only Government clinic,

Institute of Preventive Medicine, for getting a shot of the anti-rabies vaccine.

 

 

Exclusive centre

 

 

 

There are far more number of bog bite victims who can afford to purchase

anti-rabies vaccine privately and get it administered in various private

hospitals. In 2005-06, the IPM received a whopping 53,437 cases of dog bite. In

2006-07, the IPM has already registered 43,318 cases.

 

The Institute of Preventive Medicine is the only exclusive centre to handle dog

bite cases in the twin cities. Patients with unhealed wounds, swelling and fever

due to dog bite have to visit other Government hospitals for medication.

 

" We have been traditionally dealing with anti-rabies vaccine exclusively. We ask

children to be taken to Niloufer Hospital and adults to Fever Hospital so that

the wounds get healed quickly, " informs Director of IPM, P. Sucharitha Murthy.

 

 

Lack of awareness

 

 

 

There are scores of patients who are blissfully unaware of the fact that they

need further treatment for their wounds in addition to taking the anti-rabies

vaccine. Patients also point out that the anti-rabies vaccine should be made

available in general hospitals. " They are just giving me vaccine but not any

drugs to stop this swelling and pain. There are no doctors here. They are asking

me to go to some other doctor for healing of the wound, " is the common refrain

from Hassan Patel and scores of such dog bite patients coming to the Institute

of Preventive Medicine.

 

" I have to first come here for vaccine and then go to OGH for medication. Can't

they provide medication and drugs at one place, " says another patient K.

Vijaylakshmi from Lal Bazaar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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