Rabies Deaths Karachi: Senior Man and Child Die, Awareness Urged

KARACHI: Two more people died from rabies on Tuesday, raising Sindh’s toll to six this year. The victims were 75-year-old Naimat Gul from Lyari and 10-year-old Lata from Mirpurkhas. Both were admitted to hospitals on Monday but passed away within 24 hours.
The senior man was brought to the emergency department at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC). Despite immediate care, he could not survive. Meanwhile, Lata was admitted to the Indus Hospital from Digri, Mirpurkhas. She arrived at an advanced stage of the disease.
Family members revealed that Lata was bitten by a puppy on her face over two months ago. They did not seek medical care, unaware that the bite required urgent attention. By the time she reached the hospital, she had developed fever, altered mental status, hydrophobia, and aerophobia. Aftab Gohar, Manager at the Indus Hospital’s Rabies Prevention Centre, said minor puppy bites are often underestimated but carry serious risks.

Preventable Tragedies

Mr Gohar emphasized that rabies is preventable with prompt treatment. Exposure prophylaxis (PEP) includes wound washing, a course of human rabies vaccine, and sometimes rabies immunoglobulins (RIG). He urged families to act immediately if bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal.

Rising Dog-Bite Cases

This year, Indus Hospital recorded over 3,000 dog-bite cases and four rabies deaths. JPMC reported two rabies cases, including the senior man. Last year, Sindh saw 22 rabies deaths with more than 41,000 dog-bite cases at three major hospitals.

Call for Awareness

Authorities and healthcare providers stress the importance of awareness campaigns. People must understand the risks and seek timely treatment. Stronger community action and vaccination drives can prevent further deaths from this deadly yet avoidable disease.