Man bitten by own dog dies from rabies in Karachi; experts cite critical management gaps

Karachi: The grim reality of rabies continues to haunt Sindh, with the recent death of a 34-year-old construction worker bringing the province's toll to eight reported cases. This tragedy underscores a persistent and alarming failure in managing dog bite incidents and preventing the deadly spread of rabies, according to health experts. The latest victim, who sought treatment at Indus University Hospital, reportedly left against medical advice and later died at home, a scenario experts say is exacerbated by inadequate hospital documentation and potential mismanagement of crucial post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

“

The victim reported to us on April 9 with clinical features consistent with rabies encephalitis. He left against medical advice and later we came to know that he died at home the same day

Aftab Gohar, Manager of the Rabies Prevention and Training Centre at Indus University Hospital, detailed the victim's symptoms, which were consistent with rabies encephalitis, including fever, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia. The man had been bitten by his own dog over a month prior, a dog that had also reportedly bitten another individual before being euthanized. This case, alongside another involving a healthcare worker bitten by a suspected rabies patient, exposes critical gaps in the healthcare system's preparedness and response.

“

The family told us that the dog was behaving abnormally and also bit another individual before it was euthanized by a local veterinarian

Experts like Mr. Gohar are sounding the alarm, pointing to significant deficiencies in rabies PEP management, surveillance, and reporting across the province. The absence of life-saving rabies immunoglobulin in most hospitals is a particularly critical failure, leaving victims vulnerable even after receiving vaccines. While human-to-human transmission is rare, exposure to saliva from infected individuals necessitates stringent adherence to universal precautions. The situation in Karachi and Sindh demands immediate and comprehensive action to prevent further preventable deaths from this ancient and terrifying disease.

“

Hospital documentation was inadequate and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) appears to have been mismanaged.