The recent death of a kabaddi player in Uttar Pradesh due to a rabid dog bite has highlighted the growing threat of dog bites and the deadly risk of rabies. In Gujarat, the situation is increasingly worrisome, with over 2.41 lakh dog bite cases reported annually, averaging around 700 cases per day across the state.
Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital in Asarwa alone recorded more than 29,000 animal bite cases in a year, with an average of 33 dog bite cases daily. According to hospital superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi, 95% of these cases involve dog bites.
Between 2023 and 2025, the hospital treated 17,789 men, 5,696 women, and 5,721 children for animal bites. Dr Joshi stressed the need for immediate medical attention after any bite to prevent complications, particularly rabies.
Rabies: A Silent Killer
Dr Joshi explained that rabies is transmitted primarily through the saliva of infected, unvaccinated animals, especially dogs. Once the virus enters the body, it targets the central nervous system, typically reaching the brain and spinal cord within 3 to 12 weeks, though in some cases, symptoms can take up to a year to develop.
Without timely treatment, the infection leads to paralysis, coma, and death. Immediate post-exposure vaccination is critical to stop the virus from progressing.
As Gujarat battles a growing street dog menace, public health experts continue to urge awareness, early intervention, and stronger vaccination drives for both animals and humans to curb the spread of rabies.