Dog bites can cause rabies, a deadly disease. Chikkaballapur Deputy Commissioner P.N. Ravindra urged people to seek medical help immediately after a bite and ensure pet animals are properly vaccinated. He was speaking during the World Zoonosis Day and World Population Day event held at the DC office on Wednesday.
In 2025, the district reported 5,890 dog bite cases, including one rabies-related death. There were also 404 snake bite cases, leading to two deaths. To prevent such incidents, the DC asked officials to take necessary safety measures.
He explained that rabies spreads through the saliva of infected animals, mainly dogs, and also through cats, foxes, and other mammals. Anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin shots must be taken immediately after a bite. Pet owners should not skip vaccinations.
Talking about snake bites, he said that victims should be kept calm, tight clothing and ornaments should be removed, and the person should be taken quickly to a nearby hospital. Snake bites can be fatal, so timely treatment is important.
Ravindra emphasized the importance of spreading awareness through schools, colleges, and local bodies to reduce such cases in the future.
Addressing population concerns, he mentioned that India’s population has reached 1.42 billion, overtaking China. He advised delaying childbirth after marriage, maintaining a gap of three years between children, and encouraging smaller families. This year’s World Population Day theme highlights the importance of physical, mental, and age readiness for first and planned pregnancies.