(IN) Stray dog bites issue must be addressed

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Stray dog bites issue must be addressed

 

Every year 17.4 million patients are exposed to rabies in India and

approximately 20,000 patients die of rabies every year due to insufficient

knowledge on rabies and its treatment. Overall in Asia and Africa almost 55,000

people die annually of the disease.

 

Speaking about observing Rabies Day (September 8), social activist and eminent

physician at Mumbai's J.J. Hospital Dr Ranjeet Mankeshwar said, " The problem of

stray dogs and other animal bites is on the increase and needs to be tackled.

Physicians, veterinarians and social activists need to come together on a common

platform to address this issue. It is imperative that children, who are

particularly vulnerable, are protected by anti-rabies immunisation. "

 

Rabies is common in most parts of India. The dog population of India is around

25 to 30 million. Most of these are ownerless or stray dogs. The majority of the

stray dog population is found in rural areas. These dogs play a major role in

the spread of rabies.

 

* Each year approximately seven million people undergo post exposure rabies

treatment after a dog bite

 

* The Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI)

reported recently that due to mis-diagnosis and under-reporting, the actual

number of rabies deaths is believed to be higher.

 

* Nearly 96 per cent of cases are due to bites from stray dogs.