A 2005 study showed the highest death rates due to rabies in Uttarakhand and Chattisgarh (over 3.5+ per lakh population). That would be about 400 people dying a year due to rabies in Uttarakhand.
But data on rabies cases submitted by the state government to the Centre stated that three people died due to rabies in 2015. However, experts have raised doubts over the authenticity of the claim.
“According to the
Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, Uttarakhand recorded around 231 rabies
cases in 2015 so is next to impossible that mortality rate was zero due to
rabies when fatality rate is almost 100%.” said Dr Seema Kumari from Haridwar.
Dr L M Upreti, director (medical health), health department said, “We don't even get reports from government hospitals (on rabies cases), forget private ones.”
The State Government's report said that instances of animal bites have increased at an
alarming rate in the hill state posing a threat to residents.
A study in a single hospital at Srinagar, Uttarakhand concluded that animal bite cases are rising over the years, and dog bites are most common animal bite cases in Pauri Garhwal Uttrakhand. Mainly males are affected at 82% of all bite cases. Most of the animal bite affected cases (45%) were of age 15-44 years.
Mostly bite cases receive 3 doses of vaccination (while 4 are reccommended by WHO). There is no mention in the study of immunoglobulin being given which would be needed if the wound drew blood.
Dehradun residents organize to minimize nuisance from stray dogs
Accordingto a survey conducted by civic body in October 2016, Dehradun alone had 24,500
stray dogs of which 9,000 had been sterilised by 2017.
Life had been difficult for many middle class residents of Dehradun because of many strays on the streets. a group of eminent persons have started a social media campaign on WhatsApp appealing residents to stop feeding dogs since it prompts canines to attack commuters on the streets. Coming out strongly against dog lovers who feed strays, members of the group also said that those wanting to give food should do in their homes and not endanger the lives of others.
Soumya Prasad, a group member and professor at the JawaharLal Nehru University in Delhi, said, “Stray dogs are territorial animals. They occupy the areas where they find food. With people feeding them, the canines tend to attack commuters. The elderly, children and women are more vulnerable.
Saying that compassion for strays should not hold a society to ransom, Prasad said, “People feeding strays should take complete responsibility of their action and compassion should not end in harm of other people. They should either adopt the dogs or local authorities should make them liable to bear medical expenses of affected persons.”
Chief Justice G Rohini, during a plea filed last year by Om Prakash Saini, a resident of Malviya Nagar in the city, said “It was rather strange that people feed stray dogs and allow them in public spaces, causing nuisance and inconvenience to others. If you have a pet and you are feeding it, it is ok. But if you feeding stray dogs and they are causing inconvenience to others, it is not good.”
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