Over 1,000 Dog Bite Cases Reported Daily in Delhi-NCR, Prompting Urgent Rabies Vaccinations

In Delhi-NCR, more than 1,000 people are being bitten by dogs daily, with many of these cases requiring immediate medical attention and rabies vaccinations. According to health experts, major hospitals in the city, including Safdarjung, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Hindu Rao, GTB, DDU, and Lok Nayak, as well as private hospitals, are administering over 1,000 rabies vaccines every day. Around half of the patients visiting for vaccines are follow-up cases, while the rest are new victims of dog bites.

High Number of Cases in Safdarjung Hospital: Safdarjung Hospital records the highest number of patients seeking rabies vaccinations. According to Dr. Yogesh Gautam, head of the Anti-Rabies Clinic at Safdarjung, the hospital administers approximately 500 rabies vaccines each day. Out of these, 200 are new cases, and 300 are follow-up patients. Dr. Gautam assures that the hospital has a sufficient supply of vaccines to handle the daily influx.

Impact on Children: Alarmingly, 60% of dog bite victims are children, highlighting the need for increased awareness and preventive measures. With such a high percentage of cases involving minors, experts are emphasizing the importance of timely vaccinations and treatment to prevent the spread of rabies.

Other Major Hospitals: At Lok Nayak Hospital, around 100 people receive rabies vaccinations daily, according to Dr. Ritu Saxena, head of the emergency department. On holidays, this number drops to around 50 patients. However, the hospital is adequately stocked with vaccines to manage the demand.

The increasing number of dog bite incidents in Delhi-NCR underscores the importance of public health initiatives, awareness campaigns, and timely access to medical treatment to prevent rabies infections.