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HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad district has recorded a 60 per cent increase in dog-bite cases during the first nine months of 2026, with 1,091 cases reported from January to September against 682 cases during the corresponding period last year.
The figures were shared at an inter-departmental meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Complex on Friday to review the rising number of dog-bite incidents and measures to prevent rabies.
The meeting was chaired by Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abedin Memon and District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Pir Ghulam Hussain and attended by officials of the health, local government, livestock, police, solid waste management and other departments.
The meeting reviewed reported deaths during the year, treatment of dog-bite victims, availability of anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), and the situation at anti-rabies vaccination centres in the district. The DHO termed the rising number of cases a serious public health issue and said dog-bite incidents usually increased during the July-September breeding season.
Dr Pir Ghulam Hussain said anti-rabies vaccine and RIG were available round the clock at nine health facilities, including the Civil Hospital Hyderabad.
He said the health department had also conducted more than 400 awareness sessions in recent months.
The deputy commissioner directed the relevant departments to adopt coordinated and sustained measures to control the stray dog population and prevent dog-bite incidents.
He called for vaccination of stray dogs, improved cleanliness and removal of open garbage dumps, while stressing closer coordination among the health, local government, livestock, solid waste management and police departments.
Memon urged the citizens to immediately seek medical treatment after a dog bite and directed that wounds be washed thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
He said timely treatment and completion of the anti-rabies vaccination course were essential as rabies could be fatal once symptoms appeared.
The meeting also decided to intensify rabies awareness campaigns in mosques, markets, schools and communities. Police were directed to provide security during operations for catching and vaccinating stray dogs.
The deputy commissioner ordered regular monitoring of all nine anti-rabies centres and directed that review meetings be held every two weeks, with relevant officers required to submit progress reports.
The meeting stressed a coordinated strategy to make Hyderabad free of rabies.
