Palamu Dog Bites Surge: Heatwave Linked to Rising Incidents, Experts Urge Vaccination

Daltonganj: Heatwave-like conditions are leading to a surge in dog bite incidents in Palamu district, with 186 cases reported this month till May 22, civil surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Srivastava said on Tuesday.Since Jan, the district has so far recorded 1,573 dog bite cases. “Extreme warm weather and exhaustion are affecting dogs, leading to a spike in such cases,” he said.Residents complained of frequent dog attacks of late. Mannu, a resident of Nawa Toli, said, “There is a slum where a pack of at least six stray dogs roam. They often chase any biker or scooterist even without any provocation.”Doctors stressed that even minor scratches from dog bites require immediate attention. “A scratch or dog bite requires anti-rabies vaccination without fail,” Srivastava said, adding that wounds should never be stitched.“A dog bite wound has to be washed with running water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Anti-rabies vaccine can’t be missed at any cost,” he added.