2.09 lakh people bitten by dogs; 13 died of rabies

Tamil Nadu: The Public Health Department has reported that 2.09 lakh people have been bitten by dogs in Tamil Nadu this year, and 13 of these have died from rabies.

In Tamil Nadu, the number of injuries from stray dogs and pets is steadily increasing. Generally, vaccination is the only way to protect pets and humans from rabies.

Dogs should receive a rabies vaccine twice in their first year of life. After that, vaccination is required once a year.

However, stray dogs, and in some areas, pets, are not properly vaccinated. As a result, when they bite humans, rabies infection spreads, affecting both sides.

Accordingly, last year alone, 625,700 people were bitten by dogs across the state, with 34 deaths.

Consequently, 209,081 people have been bitten by dogs since January 1st.

Salem has the highest number of infected people at 12,177, followed by Trichy at 9,939, Tiruvallur at 9,265, Dindigul at 8,239, and Villupuram at 8,213.

Of these, 13 people died from rabies because they were not vaccinated on time and were admitted to the hospital too late.

Analysis of data from the past few years shows that more than 60 percent of those infected with dog bites and rabies are men.

Young and middle-aged people between the ages of 31 and 50 are most affected. Reports suggest that children under the age of 10 are the most likely to be bitten by dogs.

Regarding this, public health officials said: Every year, millions of people in Tamil Nadu are affected by dog ​​bites. Not all of them develop rabies infection. However, rabies infection occurs when animals carrying this virus bite dogs, goats, cows, horses, monkeys, cats, foxes, mongooses, wolves, and bats.

Thirteen people have died from rabies in Tamil Nadu this year. The cases are being investigated. Hospitals and health centers across the state have adequate stocks of rabies vaccine.

People bitten by stray dogs or pets receive four doses of the rabies vaccine. The vaccines are given on the first, third, seventh, and 28th day. Additionally, if the wound is deep, an immunoglobulin vaccine is administered at the site.

Thus, thousands of people have been vaccinated and their lives saved. He said that deaths occur only when there is a lack of awareness and treatment.