KARACHI: On the eve of World Rabies Day (observed on Sept 28), five people, including two children, were attacked and mauled by a dog one after another in a Clifton locality on Sunday, officials said.

The victims taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) were identified as seven-year-old Samar, nine-year-old Karan, 35-year-old Nawaz Khan, 60-year-old Chaman Lal and 70-year-old Rajesh Jai Chand, said Dr Seemi Jamali at the hospital.

They were admitted to the emergency unit of the health facility in the first half of the day.

“All the victims have been bitten mostly on their hands and faces,” she said.

“This year so far, we have received some eight patients of rabies. We have treated more than 6,700 such patients over the years. The fresh five patients are receiving due treatment.”

Rabies is a highly under-reported disease as most hospitals do not maintain its data.

In many cases, according to experts, patients die before diagnosis could be made as families turn to faith healers.

It is estimated that Karachi alone reports an average 150 cases of dog-bites every day.

Last year, the media reported 24 deaths from rabies, a viral infectious disease, which has emerged as a major health challenge in Sindh.

Almost all victims had been brought from the interior parts of Sindh to Karachi for treatment, indicating unavailability of rabies vaccine in hospitals in those areas.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2020