1,855 dog bite cases reported in Bareilly district hospital in January

BAREILLY: A report by the state health department has revealed that 1,855 cases of dog bite, 166 cases of monkey bite, 27 cases of cat bite, 2 cases of horse bite and 1 case of crocodile bite have been reported at Bareilly district hospital in January alone.
The report further stated that a person died due to rabies in the same period. Officials said the actual number in the entire district is likely to be high.
The data was provided by the Bareilly district hospital after the health department asked the government and private hospitals, including military hospital and community health centres, to provide monthly data on dog, monkey and cat bites, and number of rabies cases.
District epidemiologist Meesam Abbas said, “As the centre has started national rabies control programme, the government is compiling data on dog bites and rabies across the country. The data being sought is very detailed, and once the data bank of such cases is being compiled at the country level, the government will come up with a plan and policy to control rabies. Besides, a few hospitals face a shortage of anti-rabies vaccine as the cases of dog bites are growing. With the compilation of data, the government will be able to know the actual number of vaccines needed and could ensure its supply.”
He added, “Only the district hospital in Bareilly has provided data on rabies to Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) cell in Bareilly for January. We will now educate other hospitals about the importance of the programme.”
Health officials said Virendra (35) who died due to rabies at the district hospital on January 26 was bitten by a stray dog when he was playing with the canine at Hafizganj village under Majhagav block of Bareilly district.
“Angry villagers killed the stray dog, but they did not take Virendra for anti-rabies vaccination. However, after a few months, he stopped drinking water and when his family brought him for treatment, he died due to rabies,” said Abbas.
According to World Health Organisation, rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms.
Dogs are the main source of human rabies death and the transmission of the virus is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually through saliva.
Experts said fever with pain and unusual tingling are the initial symptoms, but after the virus spreads to nervous system, it causes fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. People with rabies also develop hydrophobia, and a change in behavior is also witnessed.