More than 2,000 cases of dog bites are reported every month though Indore Municipal Corporation and many NGOs are working to control population of stray dogs in the city. The city has over 80,000 stray dogs whose sterlisation is a challenge as it requires proper planning and manpower. The fear of stray dog bites has grown to the extent that children and adults avoid walking on street if possible. In many residential areas, people cannot go for evening strolls and morning walks fearing the dogs in area.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), India accounts for 36 percent of the total rabies deaths that occur worldwide each year. While one can develop the disease if bitten or scratched by any rabid mammal like monkeys or bats, WHO says dogs contribute up to 99 percent of rabies transmitted to humans. Children are its common victims.
Annually, 55,000 – 60,000 people die of rabies of which 20,000, that is nearly one-third, are from India, according to WHO. About 99 percent (97 percent in India) of these deaths are result of bites, exposures to dogs. A 2015 study published in peer-reviewed PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases corroborates this observation. The study says India witnesses about 20,800 rabies deaths every year, the highest in the world.
Further, a research published by MD Rozario Menezes stated that a person is bitten every two seconds, and someone dies from rabies every 30 minutes. The annual number of person-days lost because of animal bites is 38 million and the cost of post-bite treatment is about $25 million.
The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001
IMC take
Dog bite cases
Hukumchand Polyclinic receives up to 40 patients of dog bites every day for anti-rabies vaccine. Polyclinic incharge Dr Ashutosh Sharma said dog bite cases increase during summer and monsoon season.
How to tackle dog bites?
Dr Sharma shared following tips
* Place a clean towel over the injury to stop bleeding.
* Keep injured area elevated.
* Wash the bite area with soap and water.
* Apply a sterile bandage to wound.
* Apply antibiotic ointment every day to prevent infection.
* Visit hospital for anti-rabies and tetanus vaccine as early as possible.
