Karnataka sees over 66,400 dog bite cases, eight rabies deaths in two months this year
Bengaluru: In the first two months of this year, Karnataka has reported nearly 66,489 dog bite cases and eight deaths due to rabies.
According to the Health Department, three deaths occurred at the Epidemic Diseases Hospital near the Swami Vivekananda Road Metro Station, a designated isolation center for suspected rabies cases, in Bengaluru, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday. The victims included a 38-year-old native of Haryana, a 36-year-old man from Chitradurga, and a 26-year-old from Tumakuru. The fourth death in Bengaluru was that of a four-year-old boy, who passed away at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) on January 5.
Additionally, two deaths were reported in Belagavi, and one each in Ballari and Shivamogga due to dog-mediated rabies.
As of February 23, 2025, the Health Department, as cited by DH, recorded nearly 66,489 dog bite cases across the state. The highest number of incidents were in Vijayapura (4,552 cases), Bengaluru's BBMP limits (4,072 cases), and Hassan (3,688 cases).
Dr Ansar Ahmed, Project Director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, attributed the rise in cases to enhanced surveillance and more comprehensive reporting across districts.
“Dog bites are notifiable, hence we have ensured both private and government hospitals notify every single dog bite case. Additionally, all dog bite cases are not rabies cases. However, it is important for every wound to be immediately washed with sterile water and soap to reduce chances of complications,” Ahmed was quoted as saying by DH.
A senior official from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services department emphasised the need for better animal vaccination programs and increased public awareness. He told the news outlet that rabies transmission is not confined to street dogs, and that activities in forested areas, where contact with monkeys, bats, and other animals increase the risk of bites or scratches, also contribute to the spread of rabies.
He highlighted the importance of educating the public about what actions to take after animal bites or scratches to avoid delays in accessing the rabies vaccine. He urged local bodies and the Health Department to collaborate more effectively to address this growing concern.
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TN CM Vijay calls fuel price hike ‘unacceptable’, seeks rollback
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday slammed the increase of Rs 3 per litre in petrol and diesel prices, calling it "unacceptable", and demanded its immediate rollback, claiming the revision would affect various sections of society.
He said oil marketing companies do not reduce prices in line with global crude price trends and "take the profits".
"Union government oil marketing companies have increased the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre. This is not acceptable," Vijay said in a statement.
The hike has been effected after the "five-state polls" (four states and one union territory), he added.
This price rise will largely affect the income of the poor and middle class using two-wheelers and small vehicles, as well as others dependent on vehicles for their livelihood, the CM said.
It will ultimately result in an increase in the prices of daily commodities and also "affect the purchasing power of the poor," he added.
Citing the chain effect of the price revision, such as increased input costs for small units, he said it could lead to a "slowdown" in the market and exports.
"Therefore, I urge the union government to immediately roll back the price hike that will affect the poor and middle-class people and SMEs," Vijay added.
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments.
Petrol and diesel prices are now at their highest level since May 2022.
