A total of 2,07,181 people suffered from dog bites in Bihar in the year 2022-23.
Patna:
Bihar has seen a more than 20-fold increase in dog bite cases compared to last year, according to data released by the state’s latest economic survey. The Bihar Economic Survey (2023-24) released by the state government has identified dog bites as the “most prevalent disease” in the state.
According to the report, a total of 2,07,181 people faced dog bites in the year 2022-23, while the total number was only 9,809 in the year 2021-22.
Analysis of data revealed that on an average 600 people become victims of dog bites every day in Bihar. According to the report, the second most prevalent disease in the state was malaria. The report said the state saw 45,532 cases of malaria in 2022-23.
However, the report did not mention the number of cases of rabies, which is usually spread by the bite of an infected animal, including dogs.
According to the World Health Organization report, “Dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing to 99 percent of all rabies transmission to humans. The incubation period for rabies is typically 2-3 months. “, but may vary from a week to a year, depending on factors such as the site of entry of the virus and the viral load.”
As per the report, state capital Patna reported a total of 22,599 incidents of dog bites, highest in Bihar in the year 2022-23, followed by Nalanda (17,074), Gopalganj (15,253), Vaishali (13,110), West Champaran (11,291). , East Champaran (9,975), Madhubani (8,401), Araria (6,710). Nawada district reported 6,234 cases of dog bites followed by Sitamarhi (6,198), Jamui (5,851), Jehanabad (5,683), Bhojpur (5,323), Madhepura (5,169) and Darbhanga (5,023).
The districts which reported less than 2,000 dog bite incidents in 2022-23 include Kaimur (33), Aurangabad (435), Buxar (686), Muzaffarpur (1,258) and Khagaria (1,916).
In January 2023, a stray dog allegedly bit and attacked more than 80 people in Arrah, Bhojpur district of Bihar.
Commenting on Patna reporting the highest number of dog bite incidents, Patna Municipal Commissioner (PMC) Animesh Kumar Parashar told PTI, “We are aware of this fact and are taking steps to curb this menace as per the existing norms. Will intensify our campaign soon.” PMC is also going to involve non-governmental organizations for this purpose. Also, we are expecting cooperation from the public.” Expressing similar views, Shekhar Anand, municipal commissioner of Nalanda, the district which reports the second highest number of dog bite incidents in Bihar, said, ” We have our dedicated and trained team of municipal corporation staff to prevent dog bite incidents. We have already intensified the campaign against stray dogs in the city.”
Expressing concern over the menace of stray dogs in the state, Dr Manoj Kumar, a Patna-based physician, said, “The survey report should have generally mentioned the number of rabies cases spread through the bite of an infected animal, including dogs . How?” Can dog bites be considered a disease? Rabies is a disease, it is a dangerous virus that causes inflammation in the brain. Animals can spread rabies to humans through bites and scratches.” He said the incubation period of rabies can vary from a week to a year, urging the concerned authorities to take adequate measures to prevent dog bite incidents in the state. Needed
He said that the twenty-fold increase in dog bite incidents in the state is a matter of concern.
Alokparna Sengupta, managing director of Humane Society International/India, said, “The concerned authorities in Bihar should work on controlling human-animal conflict to prevent dog bite incidents. Also, the government should implement animal birth control programme. Work should be done to implement it effectively.” The state will definitely help in preventing incidents of dog bites,” he said. “To deal with these challenges, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Birth Control of Animals) Rules, 2023 have already been notified by the Central Government,” he said.
The new rules take a humane approach that balances the welfare of dogs with the concerns of humans, she said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
