Sindh’s rabies crisis is growing more serious. At least 35 people have died from the disease in the first nine months of the year. Meanwhile, dog-bite cases across the province crossed 200,000. The situation is especially alarming in Karachi, where more than 40,000 dog-bite cases were reported at four major public and welfare hospitals between January and September.

Indus Hospital Karachi recorded around 14,000 cases during the period. Jinnah Hospital and Civil Hospital Karachi each reported about 10,000 cases. Furthermore, more than 7,000 additional cases surfaced at other hospitals in the city.

Officials said 26 people died of rabies at Indus Hospital Karachi during the nine months. One death occurred at Indus Hospital Badin. Meanwhile, Jinnah Hospital Karachi recorded eight rabies-related deaths.

Experts warned that the actual number of cases in Sindh may be much higher. They said reporting and record-keeping are not uniform across hospitals and institutions. Therefore, they called for an effective dog-sterilisation programme to control the stray dog population. They also urged authorities to strengthen vaccination efforts.

Experts said the availability of anti-rabies vaccines at hospitals alone is not enough. Instead, they stressed the need for wider preventive measures, including timely treatment and better control of stray dogs. Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah urged citizens not to ignore dog bites or scratches. He said immediate treatment is essential because rabies becomes fatal once symptoms appear.

In a message on World Rabies Day, he advised people to wash a dog-bite wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. Afterward, he said, victims should visit the nearest health facility for treatment and vaccination. He also urged citizens to avoid self-treatment and seek medical help without delay after any dog bite or scratch.

Sindh’s treatment capacity for dog-bite victims has increased by around 30 percent compared with the first eight months of last year. Health facilities across the province treated around 45,000 victims and administered about 138,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccine. Additionally, around 5,000 doses of rabies immunoglobulin were given where needed.

Shah said 278 anti-rabies units had been upgraded across Sindh. Vaccines, wound-washing facilities and trained medical staff are now available to ensure timely treatment. Finally, he said public awareness, prompt treatment after dog bites and vaccination of dogs remain essential to prevent rabies.