Karnataka has seen a significant rise in dog bites and rabies deaths in early 2024 compared to the previous year

BENGALURU: Over 1 lakh dog bite cases and 12 rabies deaths have been reported in Karnataka from Jan 1 till March 25 this year, up from 63,000 and zero, respectively, during the corresponding period last year, indicating a sharp rise in such cases, according to the Karnataka health department.

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In the entire 2024, there were 3.6 lakh dog bites and 42 rabies cases in Karnataka.
According to data from the department’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, the dog-bite cases and rabies deaths are the highest in the state since the pandemic.
Harsh Gupta, principal secretary, health and family welfare department, said, “The numbers seem to increase every year because dog bites and rabies deaths have become a notifiable disease, and there is thorough surveillance to ensure the bites don’t turn into deaths.” He added that the govt is taking necessary measures to curb the numbers.
Dog-bite cases in city up 45%: IDSP
Vijayapura (6,930) reported the most dog-bite cases this year, followed by BBMP (6,290) and Hassan (6,096). However, BBMP areas, Bengaluru Urban areas excluding BBMP (3,925) and Bengaluru (2053). have seen 12,263 dog bites. Chamarajanagar (790) and Yadgir (393) reported the fewest dog-bite cases.
Bengaluru Urban reported six rabies deaths, the highest in the state. Other fatalities were reported in Belagavi (3), Ballari (1), Dakshina Kannada (1), and Shivamogga (1). There have been no rabies deaths in BBMP areas and Bengaluru Rural this year.
Dr Ansar Ahmed, project director at IDSP, explained, “Dog-bite cases in Bengaluru city is up by over 45%, thanks to better reportage. BBMP covers a vast area, and now cases are being documented from private hospitals, Ayurvedic and Unani doctors, and nursing homes. We have stopped unregistered practitioners from treating rabies cases. Additionally, the IHIP portal has improved, leading to more accurate reporting, especially in urban areas.”