Dog bite cases surge by 36% in Karnataka; 19 rabies deaths reported in six months

Karnataka has recorded a significant 36% increase in dog bite incidents in the first half of 2025, with 2.31 lakh cases and 19 rabies-related fatalities reported between January and June, according to the State Health Department. This marks a sharp rise compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 1.69 lakh cases and 18 deaths.

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Throughout 2024, the state documented a total of 3.6 lakh dog bite cases and 42 rabies deaths. The 2025 figures highlight a growing concern, especially following a widely circulated video showing a toddler being attacked by stray dogs in Hubballi.

Officials attribute the rising numbers partly to improved case documentation under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. Since human rabies became a notifiable disease in 2022, healthcare facilities—both government and private—must report suspected cases under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020.

Vijayapura reported the highest number of dog bite cases at 15,527, followed by areas under the BBMP (13,831), Hassan (13,388), Dakshina Kannada (12,524), and Bagalkot (12,392). Bangalore Urban and Rural districts reported 8,878 and 4,408 cases, respectively.

While BBMP and Bangalore Rural reported no rabies deaths, Bangalore Urban alone accounted for nearly half the fatalities this year with nine cases. In response, district authorities have been directed to audit each rabies death to evaluate medical lapses and animal control measures.