The deceased include an elderly resident of Lyari and a young girl from Mirpurkhas. Neither had received anti-rabies vaccination after being bitten by dogs.
According to hospital officials, Nemat Gul, a resident of Lyari, was bitten by a dog three months ago. “No medical treatment or anti-rabies vaccine was administered after the bite,” his family said.
He later developed severe symptoms, including fear of water, restlessness, difficulty breathing and throat spasms. He was admitted to Jinnah Hospital Karachi, where he died last night.
In a separate case, a girl from Mirpurkhas was brought to Indus Hospital Korangi after developing rabies symptoms. “The child was bitten on the face by a dog about two months ago. No medical aid or vaccination was given,” said Aftab Gohar, manager of the Indus Hospital Rabies Prevention Clinic.
Four days ago, she developed fever, irritability, severe hydrophobia and fear of air. She was shifted in critical condition but could not survive.
Of the five confirmed rabies deaths treated in Karachi hospitals, two were from Karachi, two from interior Sindh and one from Balochistan. Two cases were reported at Jinnah Hospital Karachi, while three were treated at Indus Hospital.
Read: Year’s first rabies-related death reported in Karachi
Dr Irfan Siddique, deputy in-charge of the emergency department at Jinnah Hospital, said, “Dog bite incidents in Karachi have increased compared to last year. During Ramazan, these cases rose by an additional five per cent.”
He warned that the growing population of stray dogs across the city posed a serious public health risk. “Many residents leaving home for Fajr prayers are being attacked.”
On average, 40 new dog-bite cases are reported daily at Jinnah Hospital, with another 40 to 50 patients coming for follow-up.
Dr Siddique said that once rabies symptoms appear, the disease is almost 100% fatal. “Patients are admitted to quiet, dark wards and treated only for symptoms to reduce pain and suffering.”
According to the World Health Organisation, anyone bitten by a dog should wash the wound thoroughly with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes. Anti-rabies vaccination should then be administered within two to three days.
“The sooner the vaccine is given, the more effective the body’s immunity against the disease,” officials said.
Medical professionals classify wounds according to severity and provide antibiotics or rabies immunoglobulin where required.