Anantnag, Aug 11: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag and its Associated Hospital have treated 4,728 animal bite cases over the past three years and eight months.
According to data available with Rising Kashmir, from January 1, 2021 to August 10, 2024, the hospital handled 4,728 bite exposure cases.
In the first ten days of August 2024 alone, there were 36 dog bites, 11 cat bites, three bear maulings, and one case each of a jackal bite and cow milk contaminated by a dog bite.
Dr. Zain-ul-Abideen, Medical Officer at Mirza Mohd Afzal Beigh Memorial (MMABM) Hospital, said that patients receive Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) injections free of charge at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of GMC Anantnag.
He said every dosage is completed in full, with data maintained meticulously. Routine dressings for such patients are conducted daily in the Minor Operation Theater (MOT) or General Operation Theater (GOT), depending on the severity of the case.
Dr. Fouzia Nazir, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Community Medicine at GMC Anantnag, told Rising Kashmir that there is a significant increase in animal bite cases, although no rabies cases have been reported so far at GMC Anantnag.
She said that there is need for public awareness and advised against panic in the event of a dog bite. “Rabies is preventable,” she said. “The wound should be washed thoroughly under running water with soap for at least ten minutes to remove most of the virus and simultaneously seek medical treatment. Traditional remedies should be avoided.”
Dr. Fouzia also said that the hospital has been administering ARVs since its days as a district hospital, and recently, the department secured RIG in bulk to ease the financial burden on patients.
The hospital plans to establish a separate block for an anti-rabies clinic and immunization center to enhance patient care. “This clinic, although small, serves patients from multiple districts,” she added.
She said that the data shows a rising trend in animal bites, particularly dog bites, in Anantnag, with 1,756 cases recorded in 2023, up from 1,371 in 2022 and 1,016 in 2021.
Dr. Fouzia attributed the increase to the growing dog population, improper garbage disposal, and the provocation to animals.
She said that most bites occur during the summer season and during evening time, predominantly affecting males aged 21 to 30, including students, labourers, drivers, and shopkeepers.
Bites are most common on the lower limbs, she added.
Prof. (Dr.) Rukhsana Najeeb, Principal of GMC Anantnag, said that the facility has a sufficient stock of ARVs and Immunoglobulin and provides effective patient management.
She said that plans are underway to establish a separate block for immunization, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) being finalized.
GMC has also recently started OPDs in the Community Medicine department, focusing on preventive measures for non-communicable diseases.
Suhail Malik, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council (MC) Anantnag, said that the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) have initiated a program under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) scheme, in which four centers will be established in Kashmir, including one in Kulgam, which will serve both Kulgam and Anantnag in the first phase.
