Sindh reports 226,000 dog bite cases, 12 deaths in 10 months

In the aftermath of the alarming increase in the stray dog population in Sindh, almost 12 fatalities were reported due to dog bites in 10 months of the ongoing year, official data showed on Thursday.

According to the statistics, a total of 226,000 cases of dog bites were reported across the province.

The most cases were reported in the initial nine months of the year 2024, when 27,333 incidents were recorded in January, 27,473 in February, and 29,426 in March.

A slight decline was noted in July and August, with 22,558 and 22,575 cases, respectively. Meanwhile, 24,000 dog bite cases were reported in September.

The statistics showed at least 120 cases were being reported regularly in the province.

Health experts emphasise the immediate medical intervention following a dog bite, the wound should be washed with clean water for at least 15 minutes to remove dirt and germs.

The number of dog bites continues to rise despite the Sindh government's Rabies Control Programme, which began in 2021, aiming to eliminate human deaths caused by rabies.

The objective was planned to be achieved through mass vaccination and sterilisation of dogs. 

Unfortunately, the government failed to achieve its goal with the project because of a lack of its own interest in the matter.