Study finds widespread rabies virus circulation in Karachi’s stray dogs

KARACHI: A new international study has found that the rabies virus is extensively circulating within Karachi’s stray dog population, raising serious public health concerns and highlighting the urgent need for strengthened prevention, surveillance, and treatment measures.

The research, conducted by experts at the Indus Hospital and published in eBioMedicine, part of The Lancet Discovery Science, presents new evidence of viral presence in areas with high dog-bite incidence. For the first time, researchers detected rabies virus RNA directly from fresh dog-bite wounds, offering a novel approach to monitoring exposure in humans and animals.

The observational study enrolled 100 patients with World Health Organisation-defined Category III dog-bite injuries. Swab samples were collected from wounds before and after washing, while blood samples were taken prior to and 14 days after post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Rabies virus RNA was identified using PCR-based testing techniques.

Researchers reported that virus presence in wound samples prior to treatment indicated a significantly high level of circulation in the local canine population, with 64 per cent of samples testing positive. Most cases were recorded from Korangi and Malir districts, areas identified as high-risk zones for exposure.

Experts involved in the study said the findings confirm long-held concerns about rabies prevalence among stray dogs in Karachi. They noted that the method of swabbing bite wounds could serve as a practical surveillance tool in regions where traditional animal testing systems are limited or underdeveloped.

According to infectious disease specialists, immediate wound washing with soap and water significantly reduces viral load, reinforcing it as the first critical step after any animal bite. However, researchers cautioned that washing alone does not eliminate the virus completely, and post-exposure prophylaxis remains essential for all suspected cases.

All patients in the study received WHO-recommended treatment, including rabies vaccination and immunoglobulin administration. Within two weeks, 93 per cent developed protective antibody levels, indicating strong effectiveness of the vaccination protocol used.

A small number of patients did not show detectable antibody levels; however, follow-up over six months confirmed that all remained healthy after receiving full treatment.

Researchers concluded that combining improved surveillance, public awareness, and timely medical intervention is key to reducing rabies-related deaths. They stressed that the findings support global efforts aimed at eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.