In the primary 9 months of 2023, Karnataka noticed extra circumstances than it witnessed throughout all of 2021 and 2022. The state registered 1,62,883 canine chew circumstances from January to September this yr, in accordance with well being division knowledge accessed by TOI. In comparability, 2022 noticed 1,62,624 canine bites and 2021 witnessed 1,59,247 circumstances.
Burhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) areas, which often determine amongst districts reporting the very best circumstances, noticed 15,285 canine bites within the first 9 months of 2023, with a each day common of 56, in accordance with civic physique knowledge. The numbers had been decrease than in 2022 when 22,090 canine bites (60 per day) had been reported, however greater than in 2021 which noticed 13,520 canine bites (37 per day).
However, the variety of deaths on account of rabies has dipped. While two confirmed deaths on account of rabies have been reported in Karnataka this yr, the rely stood at 15 final yr. There have been no deaths on account of rabies in Bengaluru this yr. The corresponding quantity for 2022 was 4.
Doctors say that in India, dogs, each pets and strays, are the most common animals implicated within the transmission of rabies. As the viral illness is incurable and 100% deadly, they are saying prevention is totally obligatory.
“If there may be even one drop of blood, it wants wound wash with detergent cleaning soap and water, moreover rabies immunoglobulin or rabies monoclonal antibodies injected into the chew website together with 5 doses of anti-rabies vaccine. If it’s only a scratch with out bleeding, then wound wash with cleaning soap and water and 5 doses of vaccine are sufficient,” defined Dr DH Ashwath Narayana, fast previous president, Association for Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI), and professor of group medication, KIMS, Bengaluru.
According to medical doctors, cleaning soap is a stronger agent in comparison with some in style antiseptic liquids and powerful carbolic soaps akin to material/ vessel detergent bars destroy the virus. “The first step is thorough washing of the wound with cleaning soap and water. Antiseptics could also be used thereafter. Also, it is essential that substances akin to espresso powder, tree sap, lime, and many others., aren’t utilized as they could promote entry of the virus into the nerve due to their corrosive chemical impact,” mentioned Dr Pretesh Rohan Kiran, affiliate professor, division of group well being, St John’s Medical College.
Health commissioner D Randeep mentioned some canine bites might not have been reported. “The individual or his or her caretaker will need to have ignored it. They might need washed the wound and felt that was sufficient and the canine would have turned out to be rabid.”
70% strays vaccinated
As per a survey performed by the Veterinary College, Hebbal, over 70% of avenue dogs in Bengaluru have antibodies in them, which point out they’ve obtained not less than one dose of anti-rabies vaccine. Experts say that if 70% of the dogs are vaccinated, the unfold of the virus may be contained. “No rabies deaths have been reported inside BBMP limits in recent instances,” mentioned KV Trilok Chandra, particular commissioner, well being, BBMP.
