In the bustling city of Karachi, the streets are home to an estimated 250,000 stray dogs. These animals scavenge for food amidst the trash and reproduce unchecked, contributing to the alarming statistic of 50,000 dog bite cases reported annually.
Some of these bites result in the dreaded rabies infection, characterized by an irrational fear of water – and eventual death.
Rabies is a preventable disease, but its prevalence in Karachi remains a concerning challenge.
Rabies coordinator at Indus Hospital, Aftab Gohar reveals that their facility sees an influx of 50-60 new dog bite patients daily, with approximately 150 patients visiting for both new and follow-up treatments. This number continues to rise each year.
The solution, he explains, is relatively straightforward.
When bitten by a dog, the wound must be immediately cleaned with soap and water for 10-15 minutes. Following this, patients should promptly seek treatment, that includes being administered with an antii-rabies vaccine.
“Rabies is mainly spread through the bite of mad dogs in Pakistan,” says Dr. Naseem Salahuddin, an infectious diseases specialist at Indus Hospital, Karachi and advisor to the World Health Organization on rabies.
She maintains that while other mammals can transmit the virus, the stray dog population poses the most significant threat to humans..
The rise in dog bite cases extends beyond Karachi, affecting other areas in Sindh province. In Hyderabad city, people travel from Dadu, Sukkur, Sanghar, and remote area to get vaccinated.
To combat this growing issue, Dr. Naseem Salahuddin proposes a comprehensive solution: mass vaccination and sterilization of dogs in cities, neighborhoods, and rural areas.
To curb rabies transmission, an initiative was launched in Ebrahim Hyderi, during which hundreds of dogs were vaccinated and sterilized.
This initiative has inspired others to take similar action.
Dr. Sabir Shah, the director of livestock in Hyderabad, states that they plan to replicate the Ebrahim Hyderi program by vaccinating and sterilizing stray dogs, creating safer environments for both humans and animals.
Indus Hospital subsequently passed on its Rabies Prevention Program to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).