Dog bite cases cross a lakh within three months in T.N.

On its part, the Public Health Directorate has been reiterating the need to get Anti Rabies Vaccine soon after a dog bite, and complete the four doses to prevent rabies. 
| Photo Credit: GOVARTHAN M

Within the first three months of 2025, Tamil Nadu has reported 1.24 lakh cases of dog bites and four deaths due to rabies, data provided by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine reveal.

In 2024, there were 4.8 lakh cases of bites and 47 deaths due to rabies, the directorate said.

The rise in cases of dog bites has been a cause for concern over the past few years. Better awareness has led to an increase in reporting the cases. On its part, the Public Health Directorate has been reiterating the need to get Anti Rabies Vaccine (ARV) soon after a dog bite, and complete the four doses to prevent rabies.

“It is a public health challenge,” T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, said. Not only rabies, but there is also the possibility of road accidents due to chase by dogs, he added. “A combined effort by the government and civil societies is needed. It revolves around animal birth control, vaccination, pet dog licensing, minimising community dogs, and completing ARV doses as per procedure,” Dr. Selvavinayagam said.

The State Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination is a comprehensive approach involving multiple departments such as local body administration, veterinary and health departments, he said, adding: “We, at health, provide ARV and wound management. Awareness creation by all is critical.” Official sources raised the need to focus on animal birth control and solid waste management.

S. Chandrasekar, professor and head, Department of Medicine, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital (SMCH), said the number of cases with dog bites was high in January. “We administered 1,300 doses of Anti Rabies Vaccine (ARV) that month, followed by 1,152 in February and 986 so far in March. We usually administer around 1,300 to 1,500 doses of ARV in a month,” he said. Majority of the persons who suffered dog bites were children and adolescents, he added.

Though the number of dog bite cases remains more or less the same at the SMCH, Dr. Chandrasekar said it had been observed that category II and III bites were becoming more. “We classify dog bites into three [categories]. Category I includes licks on intact skin, category II is minor scratches without bleeding and category III is bites that have penetrated the skin, bleeding, tissue damage, severe bites on the upper and lower limbs and head and neck. Category III bites are indicated for rabies immunoglobulin,” he said.

In line with this, he said that the use of rabies immunoglobulin was marginally high now considering more number of category III bites and increased awareness among people.

Stray dogs continued to be the biggest problem, he said, adding: “It is important to vaccinate stray dogs against rabies. Dogs can turn ferocious and bite with or without provocation. When dogs act as a pack and attack people, it becomes even more dangerous especially for vulnerable people such as children and elderly.”

Non-governmental organisations working towards animal welfare, and animal lovers should understand the gravity of the issue and come forward to take care of stray dogs and promote vaccination against rabies, he said, adding: “Maybe, shelters can be established where stray dogs can be taken care of. Veterinarians have an important role to play in taking forward vaccinations for pet dogs…” Dr. Chandrasekar said that persons who are bitten by a dog should seek medical help at the earliest even if the animal was vaccinated and domesticated. “Wash the bite area under running water for a minimum of 15 minutes,” he said.