Home / Health / Karachi's Rabies Crisis: 28 Cases in Nine Months
Karachi's Rabies Crisis: 28 Cases in Nine Months
3 Oct
Summary
- Indus Hospital recorded 28 rabies cases from January to September 2026.
- Over 14,000 dog-bite cases were reported at the facility in the same period.
- Pakistan estimates 2,000 to 5,000 annual rabies deaths, mainly from dog bites.
Indus Hospital recorded 28 cases of rabies from January to September 2026, with nine fatalities reported last year. During this period, the hospital managed over 14,000 dog-bite cases. Recent cases involved children from Hyderabad and Dadu.
Pakistan grapples with an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 rabies deaths annually, with approximately 96% attributed to infected dog bites. The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has been instrumental in rabies prevention since 2008.
At a World Rabies Day seminar, Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Haider Shah highlighted increased public awareness contributing to higher case reporting. He affirmed the government's commitment to the global 'Zero by 30' goal for eliminating human rabies deaths by 2030.
Rabies is 100% vaccine-preventable if prompt medical attention is sought before symptoms appear. IHHN has trained over 700 medical professionals nationwide and expanded free post-exposure prophylaxis treatment. A month-long awareness campaign reached thousands of students and teachers with crucial information on prevention and wound care.
