By Ajaz Rashid
As World Rabies Day approaches, the numbers emerging from Srinagar’s Anti-Rabies Clinic at SMHS Hospital are a stark reminder of a persistent public health challenge. In just the first six months of this year, over 8,300 cases of animal bites—mostly involving dogs and cats—have been recorded. Since 2015, the clinic has logged nearly 80,000 such cases, underscoring a steady and worrying rise in human-animal confrontations.
Historically, dog bites have dominated the statistics, largely driven by the growing population of stray dogs across the city. Narrow streets, encroached public spaces, and unmanaged waste provide fertile grounds for these animals to thrive, bringing them into frequent contact with humans. Yet, a more surprising trend has emerged in recent years: cat bites have begun to surpass those inflicted by dogs. The surge coincides with a rise in pet cat ownership post-pandemic, reflecting changing lifestyles but also introducing new risks.
The public health implications of these statistics cannot be overstated. Rabies, a fatal viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, remains a global killer. Each year, approximately 59,000 human deaths occur worldwide, mostly in Africa and Asia. In Kashmir, while fatalities are less frequently reported, every untreated bite carries the potential for tragedy. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention, yet the local health system lacks comprehensive data on bite circumstances, animal vaccination status, and community awareness levels.
This growing threat demands more than reactive treatment. Communities need proactive engagement—stray animal management, responsible pet ownership, timely post-bite vaccination, and widespread awareness campaigns. Health authorities, municipal bodies, and civil society must work in tandem to reduce encounters with potentially rabid animals and ensure prompt medical care for victims.
World Rabies Day serves as both a reminder and a call to action. It commemorates the legacy of Louis Pasteur, whose pioneering work laid the foundation for modern rabies prevention, while highlighting ongoing gaps in awareness and infrastructure. In Kashmir, as elsewhere, the path to zero rabies deaths lies not only in effective vaccines but also in informed, vigilant communities. Addressing the rising tide of animal bites is not merely a medical imperative—it is a societal responsibility.
