Punjab: Stray dog that bit 10 people in Ludhiana dies, doctors confirm rabies
Rabies confirmed in stray dog that bit 10 people in Ludhiana, Punnjab. 10-year-old among the victims. (Image: Dall-E)
On 17th December, officials confirmed that a stray dog that went on a biting spree and bit 10 people in the Model Gram area of Ludhiana was infected with rabies. The dog bit 10 people on 14th December and died the next day. Samples recovered from the dead dog were sent to the laboratory for testing, which confirmed rabies infection. The incident has triggered emergency containment measures by the civic authorities.
Municipal action and precautionary measures
Municipal health officer Dr Vipan Malhotra said the risk of further exposure could not be ruled out, as rabies spreads through the saliva of infected animals. As a precaution, the civic body captured five stray dogs from the neighbourhood and placed them under observation. All five dogs have been vaccinated. Officials said the dogs would be tested if any symptoms appeared.
He said, “All rescued dogs are being closely monitored and vaccinated to prevent any possible spread.”
Child among victims, suffers severe injuries
Among those bitten was a 10-year-old child who was attacked while going to a nearby shop to buy milk. The injuries were severe, forcing doctors at Christian Medical College and Hospital to perform plastic surgery. Plastic surgeon Dr Pinki Pargal said the dog caused deep facial lacerations, damaging skin, muscle, and tissue, with injuries extending up to the mucosa.
Treatment protocol remains unchanged
Senior medical officer Dr Akhil Sareen said the rabies confirmation did not alter treatment protocols. “We treat every dog bite as potentially rabid. In severe cases, anti rabies immunoglobulin is administered to neutralise the virus before it enters the bloodstream,” he said, urging patients to complete the full course of treatment.
Rising dog bite cases
Civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur advised not only bite victims, but also those who had fed or handled the dog, to get vaccinated. She also warned that free roaming pet dogs could have come into contact with the infected animal and pose a risk.
The incident comes amid worrying figures. Ludhiana recorded 31,054 dog bite cases last year. This year, till October alone, 30,843 cases have already been reported, highlighting a growing public health concern linked to stray dogs. As the Supreme Court is hearing the stray dog menace case, these figures and such incidents should become a wakeup call for the authorities to control the stray dog menace at war footing.
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