Over 21K dog bites reported since January

About 21,229 cases of dog bites are reported in Krishna district since January this year. With the district running out of stock of anti-rabies serum, only 433 vials of the serum were supplied.
Image used for representational purpose
Image used for representational purpose

VIJAYAWADA: About 21,229 cases of dog bites are reported in Krishna district since January this year. With the district running out of stock of anti-rabies serum, only 433 vials of the serum were supplied for such cases, the doctors said.  

Speaking on the issue, District Epidemiologist Nageswara Rao said there was a significant increase in dog bite cases this year. “We are currently identifying reasons for this rise. As of now, there is a shortage of anti-rabies serum in Krishna district. We are expecting the serum to arrive here from other districts in a few days. However, we have sufficient amount of normal vaccines for dog bites,” he said. The doctors at the government hospital said that most of the serum gets wasted because a vile, once opened, must be used within a day. According to information, more than 1,600 cases of dog bites were registered alone in May and the patients were treated at the government hospital. Many visit the hospital to receive anti-rabies vaccination, but are asked to visit again by the doctors since there is a shortage of the serum.

Speaking to Express, Vijayawada General Government Hospital Regional Medical Officer (RMO), N Narasimha Naik, said, “The shortage occurred due to irregular arrival of the patients. We give our patients a particular date to visit us at the hospital for vaccination, but they ignore our request and come here according to their comfort. This way a vile, which can be used five times, is wasted only after two uses. In April and May, more than 1,000 doses of vaccine was wasted this way. There is usual shortage of vaccine, but this time its way more.”

Though the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation’s teams are busy with dog sterilisation works, cases of dog bites are still on the rise. The municipal staff conduct over 40 sterilisation operations in the city everyday. Separate shelters are also proposed for male and female dogs.

New stock to arrive
More than 1,600 cases of dog bites were registered alone in May
The doctors at the government hospital said that most of the serum gets wasted because a vile, once opened, must be used within a day
Stock of vials of anti-rabies serum is expected to arrive in a few days
VMC staff conduct over 40 sterilisation operations  everyday

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