What is the current rabies situation in Sindh?

Sindh has reported 22 rabies deaths this year, with over 42,000 dog-bite incidents recorded in Karachi's major hospitals.

How many people die from rabies in Pakistan annually?

An estimated 2,000 to 5,000 people nationwide die from rabies each year, despite it being a preventable disease.

What are the challenges faced by the Rabies Control Programme Sindh?

The program faces significant operational challenges in achieving its targets for dog vaccination and sterilization.

Home / Health / Sindh Rabies Crisis: 22 Dead, 42,000 Dog Bites

Sindh Rabies Crisis: 22 Dead, 42,000 Dog Bites

20 Dec

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Summary

Sindh reports 22 rabies deaths this year amidst over 42,000 dog-bite incidents.
Nationwide, 2,000-5,000 people die annually from preventable rabies.
Healthcare infrastructure struggles with vaccine scarcity, impacting rural areas.

Sindh Rabies Crisis: 22 Dead, 42,000 Dog Bites

Rabies remains a critical yet often overlooked health threat in Pakistan, with Sindh reporting 22 fatalities this year alone. Alarming figures from three tertiary care hospitals in Karachi reveal over 42,000 dog-bite cases, highlighting a severe public health crisis. Annually, an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 individuals nationwide die from this agonizing, yet entirely preventable, disease. Rural communities bear the brunt, struggling with timely access to life-saving therapies and facing shortages of post-exposure prophylaxis.

The escalating stray dog population exacerbates the crisis. Despite producing nearly 80,000 anti-rabies vaccine vials, bureaucratic hurdles hinder distribution. Efforts like the Rabies Control Programme Sindh's target to vaccinate and sterilize 125,000 dogs by mid-2025 face significant operational challenges. Health experts emphasize that immunizing 70% of street dogs is crucial to preventing a widespread epidemic.