KARACHI: Twelve children bitten by a dog in Landhi reported at the Indus Hospital (IH) on Thursday evening.

The children were reportedly playing outside a seminary in Khaskheli Goth, Landhi No. 2, when they fell victim to the dog.

“All children have been discharged after they were provided the required treatment, which included vaccination and doses of rabies immunoglobulin. Some children with serious injuries would be examined by plastic surgeons after two days,” said Aftab Gohar, team leader of the rabies centre at the hospital.

Quoting patient families, he said that 20 to 25 people were bitten by the same rabid dog.

“We are worried about other dog bite victims. These people must visit health facilities offering the right treatment for dog bite. Neglect and ignorance could threaten their lives as rabies is 100 per cent fatal.”

Presently, the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, the National Institute of Child Health and IH are offering free-of-cost treatment for dog bite.

It is important to mention here that rabies is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system, particularly causing inflammation in the brain. For humans who contract rabies, a bite from an unvaccinated dog is by far the most common culprit.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2018