1,598 cat bites
1,083 dog bites
70 cases daily
Srinagar, Mar 17: A worrying surge in cat and dog bite cases has been reported in the city, with the health experts urging the public to take necessary precautions amid the growing threat of rabies.
Data from the Anti-Rabies Clinic (ARC) at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital reveals that over the past two months, as many as 1,598 cat bite cases and 1,083 dog bite cases have been recorded.
The figures indicate a significant rise, particularly in cat-related incidents, which have now outpaced dog bites. Officials said that the clinic is witnessing an average of around 70 bite cases daily, raising serious public health concerns.
Medical experts noted that the trend has become more pronounced after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a sharp increase in cases involving pet cats.
“Unlike earlier trends where dog bites were more common, we are now seeing a substantial rise in cat bite cases, many of them involving domesticated pets,” an expert at the clinic said.
Doctors have emphasised that both cat and dog bites carry the risk of rabies, a potentially fatal viral disease if not treated promptly. They advised people to seek immediate medical attention in case of any bite or scratch.
At the Anti-Rabies Clinic, patients are being administered anti-rabies vaccines and, in severe cases, anti-rabies serum as part of the treatment protocol.
Health officials have urged pet owners to ensure proper vaccination of their animals and advised the public to avoid handling stray or unfamiliar animals. Awareness and timely intervention, they stressed, remain key to preventing the spread of rabies.
The rising numbers have prompted calls for greater public awareness and stricter measures to address the issue before it escalates further.
