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The numbers archer a troubling communicative successful Tamil Nadu this year. In conscionable 4 months of 2026, the State has recorded 2.63 lakh canine wound cases and 17 deaths from rabies, a important share of past year’s 6.25 lakh bites and fractional of past year’s 34 deaths.
Data from the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine shows 62,000 canine wound cases, each successful January and February, rising to 71,000 successful March and dipping somewhat to 68,000 successful April.
Growing concern
Dog bites proceed to beryllium a increasing interest crossed the State, with Chennai, Salem, Tiruchi, and Dindigul among the districts reporting higher numbers. There person been repeated calls for sustained measures to power the stray canine population, fortify Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, and amended rabies vaccination sum among dogs.
A. Somasundaram, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said cases person marginally accrued successful the State. “There is nary circumstantial attraction oregon medicine for rabies, and it is 100% fatal. This is simply a challenge. The lone instrumentality to forestall rabies is vaccination,” helium said.
Awareness connected anti-rabies vaccination is amended and compliance has improved, helium added. “The Health Department focuses connected due coiled washing, medication of Anti-Rabies Vaccine, and rabies immunoglobulin based connected the categorisation of bites. Wound washing plays a important role. The microorganism is bullet-shaped and travels on nervus pathways. Immediate and thorough washing of the coiled is the archetypal measurement successful reducing the hazard of infection. In cases of heavy wounds, rabies immunoglobulin is administered. It is besides fixed for bites connected high-risk areas specified arsenic the hands and look arsenic the microorganism tin rapidly question to the brain,” helium explained.
With the stray canine colonisation connected the rise, experts accidental carnal commencement power (ABC) measures and vaccination of dogs against rabies proceed to beryllium challenging. “Veterinarians, with the assistance of the section bodies, request to vaccinate dogs, portion ABC measures should beryllium undertaken by the section bodies,” an authoritative said.
Defaulter tracing
On its part, the DPH is intensifying defaulter tracing. “We are tracking radical who instrumentality the archetypal dose of the vaccine to guarantee that they implicit the course. There besides needs to beryllium greater consciousness connected safeguarding children and not leaving them unattended outdoors. Many judge thing volition hap if favored dogs wound but it is important to recognize that anti-rabies vaccination is required,” Dr. Somasundaram said.
S. Chandrasekar, prof and head, Department of Medicine, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, besides stressed the request to support children, who are much vulnerable. “No carnal wound should beryllium ignored. Prevention is key. It is important to spell to the nearest wellness installation and get vaccinated. In Category III bites (transdermal bites oregon scratches, licks connected breached skin), rabies immunoglobulin should beryllium administered,” helium said.
