Two Die of Rabies in Karachi, Provincial Toll Rises to Six

Two individuals, a 75-year-old man and a 10-year-old girl, have died of rabies in Karachi, bringing the total number of rabies-related fatalities in the province to six, according to reports on Tuesday.

The victims, identified as Naimat Gul from Lyari and Lata from Mirpurkhas, were admitted to separate hospitals on Monday. Hospital officials stated that both patients succumbed to the disease within 24 hours of their admission.

Details of the Cases

Dr Yahya Tunio, Deputy Director at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), confirmed that Naimat Gul was brought to the emergency department and passed away within a day. In a separate incident, Lata, a 10-year-old girl from Digri, Mirpurkhas, was admitted to Indus Hospital on Monday night in an advanced stage of rabies. She also died within 24 hours of her admission.

Family sources reported that Lata was the third youngest among six siblings. She had suffered a dog-bite injury more than two months prior to her death. Her parents did not seek immediate medical treatment, as they were unaware that a dog bite required urgent medical attention to reduce the risk of rabies transmission.

Rising Rabies Deaths

With these two recent deaths, the total number of rabies fatalities in the province has reached six. Medical professionals emphasize the importance of prompt treatment following dog bites to prevent the onset of rabies, a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

“The Lyari resident was brought to the hospital’s emergency department where he passed away within 24 hours of his admission,” said Dr Yahya Tunio.

Health officials continue to urge the public to seek immediate medical care in the event of dog bites and to increase awareness about the dangers of rabies.