NEVER before have stray dogs posed so much danger. In the light of the recent cases of dog bite reported from Chandigarh and Punjab, it becomes essential to determine the causes leading to an increase in the incidence of dog bite in the region. This becomes more important in view of the fact that dogs are the most common carriers of rabies, which is on the rise in Chandigarh. Whereas Punjab and Haryana are also exposed to the fatal infection, especially due to an increase in the population of stray animals, Chandigarh is particularly vulnerable to it.

Although there have not been many deaths due to rabies in the region, the incidence of the disease has been on the rise. Those who rear pets face the greatest danger of contacting the infection simply because they are not aware of the different routes through which it can travel. The disease spreads not just through dog bite, but also if the animal licks a human being or scratches him. Although nine out of 10 cases of rabies occur when a mad dog bites a person, the remaining one per cent is caused by any pet or stray dog or sometimes by other carriers like monkeys, mongoose, horses and rats.

These days, however, over 90 per cent of rabies cases are caused by dog bite. The past few months have recorded four deaths on account of dog bite in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana. Following the death of a 70-year-old man whose body was found mutilated by dogs in a village near Abohar, many other cases of dog bite have also been reported from the region, especially Chandigarh.

Out of total cases reported from the beginning of this year in the Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana belt, Chandigarh alone accounts for close to 75 per cent of the cases. Further, out of the total cases, over 80 per cent have been caused by dogs.

Investigations revealed that about 2,327 cases of rabies were reported from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana over the past four months. In 1,804 cases dogs were the carriers of the disease. Other carriers included monkeys, horses, mongoose and rats. Of the total cases, Chandigarh accounted for 1,758 cases, followed by Punjab (479 cases) and Haryana (about 90 cases). While data collected from the Anti-Rabies Clinic, Sector 19, Chandigarh, clearly showed that the situation in Punjab and Haryana has been largely under control, it suggested an increase in the incidence of rabies in Chandigarh.

In January the city reported 323 cases, while in April the figure rose to 403. Medical experts say that the incidence of dog bite is higher in the summers. The trend has not been encouraging for the UT in the recent past. The encouraging factor has, however, been the massive effort being made for the prevention of rabies by the authorities in charge of the Anti-Rabies Clinic. The clinic, with S.K. Garg as the Senior Medical Officer in charge of vaccination and cure, caters to 33 per cent of Punjab and Haryana, apart from the whole of UT.

Without commenting on the causes of the rise in the incidence of rabies, Dr Garg told The Tribune that deaths on account of rabies have been largely controlled. "Only 10 to 12 cases of death have been reported over the past year. We, however, get about 15 to 20 cases per week and we are doing our best to prevent the disease." Experts do not rule out the possible connection between an increasing number of stray dogs and the rising incidence of rabies in Chandigarh.

Further investigations revealed that the office of the Medical Officer, Health, Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, was responsible for getting stray dogs sterilised in the two hospitals being run by People For Animals (PFA) and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). However, the number of dogs being sterilised at these hospitals is very small. J.S. Sukheja, manager, SPCA, informed that while SPCA operated on five male and female dogs every Monday, PFA operated on the same number every Tuesday. When compared with the increase in the number of stray dogs, the number of sterilisations is very small. As per rough estimates, the population of stray dogs in the city and surrounding 25 villages runs into lakhs and is increasing every day.

Ironically, no data regarding the total population of stray dogs in Chandigarh is available with the MOH. The Department of Animal Husbandry in Sector 22, too, does not maintain any record. G.C. Bansal, MOH, said, "No such survey has ever been conducted by us. We only round up the dogs, take them to the PFA and the SPCA for sterilisation and then leave them back at the same spot. Vaccines are administered to registered pet dogs." As per the latest guidelines of the Central Animal Welfare Board received by the NGOs in the city, at least 10 dogs should be operated upon every week.

According to Y.P.C. Mehta, a veterinary surgeon, in charge of the SPCA hospital in Sector 38 West: "The treatment requires 14 vaccines and costs Rs 150. There is another, faster but more expensive treatment available that requires five vaccines. The duration of treatment further depends on the site of the bite. The closer the site is to the brain, the heavier the damage inflicted. There is no way of knowing which dog bites more frequently. Where pet dogs are more liable to get irritated, tame as they are, stray dogs also bite frequently and in such cases the infection is much more serious."

He continues, "In the summer months, there are more cases of dog bite as compared with winters. To avoid trouble, keep your calm when faced by ferocious dogs. Don’t do anything to agitate the animals. Never panic or run."

Rabies is caused by the rabies virus which causes an acute brain infection. It is seldom reversible and usually fatal. It can be easily passed from wild carnivores to human beings as well as pets and livestock that have not been vaccinated. Once the infection occurs, the virus spreads to the central nervous system and causes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Rabies kills over 35,000 people every year, mostly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

How it spreads: When a dog bites a person, it transmits the rabies virus into the body through its saliva. The virus cannot live outside its host’s body for more than a couple of seconds, but live viruses has been found in animals that have been dead for as long as 48 hours.

Rarely though, the disease is transmitted through a scratch, if there is saliva on the claw and the scratch breaks the skin, or through contamination of a mucous membrane (i.e., eyes, nose, mouth). Symptoms surface after five to 60 days. Many people think that a mad dog can be identified by the fact that it often yawns and appears sleepy; or the mouth keeps frothing. Veterinary experts contacted clarified that the aforementioned symptoms appear in dogs in the last stage of madness; sometimes they don't appear at all. The following irregularities in a dog's behaviour are worth guarding against:

• The most dangerous of dogs often become obedient.

• A docile dog suddenly becomes ferocious.

• Sometimes a dog refuses to eat; it starts biting things made of iron and wood.

• Wild dogs become friendly and affectionate towards humans.

Contacting rabies: A person can contact rabies if a mad animal bites or licks him; a bite on the neck or head is much more dangerous and fatal because of its proximity to the brain. A docile dog can also cause rabies. Children should be administered an anti-rabies vaccine.

Symptoms: The symptoms include a feeling of numbness; itching; rigidity of muscles, followed by a feeling of sadness, eagerness and hydrophobia (fear of water). The diseased will behave in a curious manner if exposed to high-velocity wind; high-intensity light and loud noise. In the final stage, the victim complains of irritation in the throat and his mouth begins to froth.

What to do in case of a bite: When bitten, wash the wound with soap and water for about 15 minutes; apply alcohol or antiseptic to the wound; never conceal the wound, keep it open. You must consult your doctor.

Highest rabies deaths in India: India records the highest number of deaths from rabies. In spite of this, only 120 litres of anti-rabies serum is produced in the country. The projected national requirement is 1,500 litres.