Four dead amid rising dog bite incidents in Gilgit

GILGIT: A concerning rise in dog bite incidents in Gilgit has claimed the lives of four people from rabies, with over 30 cases of bites reported in the city, local public hospitals confirmed to HUM News English.

Provincial Headquarters Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Syed Sartaj Hussain said that the hospital had treated between 15 and 20 dog bite cases in recent days, providing the first rabies vaccine shot to the affected individuals.

He refuted allegations of vaccine shortages, emphasizing that no patient had been asked to purchase the vaccine from medical stores.

“We typically maintain a stock of four to five rabies vaccine doses, considering the rarity of such cases and the potential for the vaccine to expire. However, with the recent surge in cases, we have procured an additional 20 doses,” Dr Hussain added.

Among the victims was a five-year-old girl, Ayesha, who was attacked by a dog in broad daylight, leaving bite marks on her neck. Her father, Tanveer Ahmed, expressed his frustration with the hospital staff, accusing them of negligence.

“Despite informing them that she was bitten by a rabid dog, the hospital did not provide us with the vaccine. The hospital also lacked pediatric ventilator services, forcing me to take my daughter to CMH, where she passed away within half an hour.”

Responding to the incident, Dr Hussain clarified that the child had been brought to the hospital 25 days earlier following a dog bite and was administered the first dose of the rabies vaccine, along with other necessary treatments.

“When she was brought back later, she showed symptoms of pneumonia. Unfortunately, no public hospital in the region offers ventilator services for pediatric patients, so we referred her to CMH, where she sadly passed away,” he explained.

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Dr. Hussain added that it remains unclear whether the pneumonia symptoms were linked to the dog bite, stating that an investigation is underway.

Pediatric specialist Dr. Wajahat Hussain, who was present during the interview, explained the standard treatment for dog bite victims. “Typically, five doses of the rabies vaccine are administered: on the day of the bite, the next day, and then on days three, seven, and 14. In some cases, up to eight doses may be required,” he said.

When questioned about fatalities despite completing the vaccine course, Dr. Hussain pointed to potential factors such as the vaccine’s efficacy, possible expiration, or improper administration as contributing reasons. “Once symptoms of rabies appear, death is inevitable,” he added.

Similarly, Shaheed Saifur Rehman Hospital treated between 10 and 15 dog bite cases in recent days. However, none of the hospitals in Gilgit have maintained comprehensive data on dog bite victims, leading to widespread speculation and rumors.

The death toll is rumored to be as high as eight, with social media posts claiming over 50 cases of dog bites. In response, many individuals who were bitten months ago have rushed to hospitals in fear, seeking immediate treatment as concerns over rabies spread throughout the city.

In light of the growing public outcry, Gilgit-Baltistan Secretary of Health Dildar Malik, who is currently in Islamabad for the surgery of his ailing son, has appointed Deputy Secretary (Development) of the Health Department, Ghazanfar Ali, as a fact-finding officer to investigate the loss of lives due to dog bites in Gilgit.

This action follows an official complaint filed by the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly deputy speaker, who’s relative was among the victims. It was alleged that the technical staff at PHQ Hospital Gilgit failed to provide life-saving treatment on time, resulting in the death.

The Fact-Finding Officer has been tasked with submitting a report within a week, along with clear recommendations, to hold accountable those responsible for the negligence.

Meanwhile, the district administration has launched a mass dog-culling campaign across all subdivisions, resulting in the culling of over 300 dogs.