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NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
"I Was Very Scared": Minor Victim Of Deliberate Dog Bite Case In Mumbai
Mumbai (Maharashtra): The minor boy, victim of the dog bite incident that happened on July 17 in Mumbai, said that the accused, Sohail Khan, released the dog towards him when he was sitting with his friends. The child added that when they saw the dog coming towards them, his friends escaped, but he was unable to escape, and eventually the dog bit him. The boy further stated that he was extremely scared during this entire incident. "We were sitting and chatting. One of my friends asked him (the accused dog owner) where he was going with the pitbull. He started coming towards us with the dog. Everyone escaped but I couldn't... He was releasing the dog towards me and was laughing. The dog bit me, and then I ran. It also held my clothes... I was very scared...", the minor boy, who was attacked by accused Sohail Khan's pitbull dog in an auto-rikshaw on July 17, said. On July 17 night, at around 10:00 p.m., a disturbing incident was reported in Mumbai when a Pitbull dog owner named Sohail Khan deliberately released his dog on a minor boy playing in an auto rickshaw parked in a residential area, according to Mumbai Police. Khan allegedly set his pet dog loose on the minor without any provocation. Mumbai Police said, "On 17th July at around 10:00 PM, the complainant's minor son was playing in a parked rickshaw in the residential area when the accused, Mohammad Sohail Khan -- an acquaintance from the same locality -- deliberately released his brown-coloured pet dog". The dog attacked the minor boy, biting him on the chin and hands, causing serious injuries. A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation. Based on the detailed statement of the complainant, father of the minor child, an offence was registered by the police under BNS at Mankhurd Police Station. "Due to a lack of control and supervision, the dog bit the child on the chin, causing injury. Based on the detailed statement of the complainant, an offence has been registered under sections 291, 125, 125(a) of IPC (BNS) at Mankhurd Police Station. A notice has been served to the accused under Section 35(3) of BNS", said Mumbai Police. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, on the basis of a release issued by the Ministry, mentioned that States/UTs have reported, as per the data reported on the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (Integrated Health Information Platform) portal, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, that 21,95,122 dog bites cases occurred in India during Jan-Dec'2024.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Mumbai man booked for unleashing dog on minor boy
A disturbing incident occurred in Mumbai on Thursday (July 17, 2025) at around 10 p.m., when Mohammad Sohail Khan deliberately unleashed his pet dog on a minor boy, who was playing in a parked auto-rickshaw, according to Mumbai Police. The dog attacked the minor boy, biting him on the chin and hands, causing serious injuries. A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation. Lancet study estimates 3 in every 4 animal bites in India due to dogs Khan allegedly set his pet dog loose on minor boy without any provocation and the dog bit the child repeatedly. Instead of intervening, Khan was seen laughing and enjoying the incident. The boy sustained injuries to his chin and hands and was left mentally traumatised by the ordeal. "On July 17, at around 10:00 p.m. the complainant's minor son was playing in a parked rickshaw in the residential area when the accused, Mohammad Sohail Khan — an acquaintance from the same locality — deliberately released his brown-coloured pet dog. Owing to a lack of control and supervision, the dog bit the child on the chin, causing injury," said Mumbai Police. Based on the detailed statement of the complainant, an offence has been registered against Khan under Sections 291, 125, 125(a) of IPC (BNS) at Mankhurd Police Station. 3.17 lakh people sought treatment for dog bite cases in the State in 2024 A notice has been served to the accused under Section 35(3) of BNS. Earlier, on July 10, the Central Government aimed to eliminate Rabies by 2023. According to the study done by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), on Human rabies death and animal bite burden estimates in India, 2022-2023, more than 5,000 people die every year owing to dog bites. 'Nearly 9.1 million animal bites and 5,726 human rabies deaths due to dog bites are estimated to occur every year in India,' states a study done by ICMR-NIE. 'Eighty per cent of the dog bite victims reported taking at least one dose of the vaccination. In order to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2023, India must continue to fast-track its action through a focussed health approach,' states a study done by ICMR-NIE. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, based on a release issued by the Ministry, mentioned that States/UTs have reported, as per the data reported on the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (Integrated Health Information Platform) portal under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, that 21,95,122 dog bite cases in India during Jan-Dec 2024.
India Gazette
10-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
India must continue to fast-track its action to eliminate Rabies by 2030: ICMR-NIE
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): The Central Government is aiming to eliminate Rabies by 2030. According to the study done by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), on Human rabies death and animal bite burden estimates in India, 2022-2023, more than 5000 people die every year due to dog bites. 'Nearly 9.1 million animal bites and 5,726 human rabies deaths due to dog bites are estimated to occur every year in India.' '80 per cent of the dog bite victims reported taking at least one dose of the vaccination. In order to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030, India must continue to fast-track its action through a focused one health approach,' states a study done by ICMR-NIE. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy on the basis of release issued by the Ministry mentioned that States/UTs have reported, as per the data reported on the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (Integrated Health Information Platform) portal under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, that 2195122 dog bites cases in India during Jan-Dec'2024. The primary objectives of the study are to estimate human rabies and deaths. 'The primary objectives of the study are to estimate the incidence of animal bites and to estimate human rabies deaths by decision tree model.' 'The secondary objectives are to estimate the proportion of animal bite cases receiving post-exposure prophylaxis, describe the anti-rabies vaccine supply chain at different levels of the health care system and estimate direct and indirect costs associated with animal bite cases,' states the study. 'During March 2022 to August 2023, we did a nationwide cross-sectional survey among individuals residing in 600 clusters across 60 districts in 15 Indian states. We employed a multistage cluster sampling design, utilising a probability sampling technique at every stage of selection. The head of the household or an adult family member was interviewed to collect information about the demographic details, bite history in any of the family members, type of biting animal, post bite animal status and circumstances leading to the animal bite, receipt of anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) and death after animal bite in the family. Annual animal bite incidence, along with 95% CI, was estimated after applying the sampling weights and adjusting for clustering.' Study also revealed that the dog bite incidence was higher among children, below 14 years and elderly aged above 60 years, 'The dog bite incidence was higher among children aged 0-14 years (0.75 percent) and elderly aged above 60 years (0.78 percent) and among males (0.76 percent) and was not different in rural (0.58 percent) and urban (0.50 percent) areas (p=0.253). Among the dog bite victims, 79.5 percent (n=1,253) took at least one dose of anti-rabies vaccine. Using the decision tree/probability model we estimated 5,726 (95 percent CI: 3,967 - 7,350) human rabies deaths occurring every year in India.' For a few years, Goa has maintained a rabies-free record. Sanchita Banerjee Rodrigues, Trustee - Panjim Animal Welfare Society, said, 'Goa has emerged as a model state in India for rabies control, having maintained its status as a rabies-controlled region for the last six years. This remarkable achievement is not by chance but by the sheer dedication and synergy of all stakeholders involved--government bodies, veterinarians, animal welfare volunteers, feeders, the Directorate of Animal Husbandry, DSPCA, and schools that play a key role in awareness and education.' 'Even when a rare case was reported last year in one of our islands in Goa involving a pet-owned dog, the response was swift and decisive. The entire village was sensitised, and containment protocols were immediately executed. This collective, community-driven action ensured that the situation was brought under control without panic or misinformation,' she said. On what other states/UTs can learn from Goa, she said, 'What other states can learn from Goa is the importance of cohesive teamwork. The key lies in consistent collaboration and trust among those on the ground and those in authority. Rabies control is not just about vaccines--it's about education, surveillance, early action, and deep-rooted community involvement. In Goa, feeders are the first responders, schools are awareness hubs, and volunteers serve as both watchdogs and caregivers. The veterinary community ensures scientific rigour, while the government ensures continuity of support, infrastructure, and accountability' 'The Goa model proves that rabies elimination is achievable in India with strategic planning and shared responsibility. It's not about isolated efforts, but a united front with a clear goal. As the country moves closer to the goal of 'Zero by 30', Goa stands as a shining example that with the right approach, the dream of a rabies-free India is within reach. It is time for other states to adapt, localise, and adopt Goa's spirit of collaboration and unwavering,' she said. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Associate Director - Internal Medicine, Paras Health, Gurugram said that the Rabies virus is the cause of the fatal viral disease rabies. It is primarily transmitted by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, usually a stray dog, but it can also be spread by bats, cats, and monkeys. The virus causes inflammation in the brain by affecting the central nervous symptoms appear, such as fever, confusion, fear of water, and paralysis, it is almost always risks linked to rabies are severe. If wounds from animal bites or scratches are not cleaned and treated correctly, they can lead to serious infections like sepsis, or localized bacterial infections, he said. Doctor Kumar further said, Prevention is essential. Getting vaccinated on time is important for pets and for people at higher risk, like veterinarians, animal handlers. If someone gets bitten or scratched, they should wash the wound right away with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. They should then seek medical evaluation and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes anti-rabies vaccines and, if needed, rabies immunoglobulin. People should avoid contact with stray or wild animals and supervise children around animals. Keeping up with regular pet vaccinations and supporting community animal birth control and awareness programs are crucial in reducing the spread of rabies. (ANI)
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
ICMR-NIE study calls for year-round monitoring of respiratory infections
Researchers at the ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) in Chennai have highlighted the need for year-round and integrated surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness, which are potential threats to public health, to detect early warnings. Study findings This comes in the view of a new public health study, published in 'Discover Health Systems' journal last month, which has revealed key insights into how Tamil Nadu monitors and responds to cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). The study found that surveillance efforts are stepped up only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year. The study evaluated the functioning of disease surveillance systems in four districts of the state from 2023 to 2024. Engaging more than 370 stakeholders across 85 healthcare facilities and 23 laboratories, the study found that while Tamil Nadu has built a foundation for respiratory illness surveillance, further improvements are needed to make the system more consistent, routine, and capable of responding to emerging public health threats. "This is the first study of its kind in India that provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at all levels," said Dr Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader, the principal investigator of the study, ICMR-NIE. "Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in health surveillance. This report reinforces the importance of year-round, integrated disease monitoring to protect public health," said Dr T S Selva Vinayagam, director of public health and preventive medicine, the Government of Tamil Nadu. The study stated that more than half of the facilities surveyed had systems in place to report ILI/SARI cases, but only 42 per cent regularly collected clinical samples for testing. Besides, relatively few medical personnel had received specific training in identifying and reporting such cases. Need for improved surveillance Testing facilities were mostly concentrated in larger hospitals, with primary and secondary care facilities lacking necessary equipment and resources to conduct tests, Dr Rizwan said. While public health centres widely used the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), the system faced challenges such as inconsistent data entry, multiple overlapping reporting formats, and minimal participation from private hospitals and labs. "The study also noted that surveillance efforts tend to intensify only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year," Dr Rizwan said. Influenza surveillance remains a seasonal event in Tamil Nadu, the study noted. "With changing ecological conditions, efforts should be made to ensure year-round reporting of cases. Testing for influenza should be prioritised and infrastructure and testing for novel pathogens should be developed," it said. Although guidelines are in place, a gap still exists in awareness amongst the health workers, especially community health workers regarding the importance of influenza surveillance. Structured training should be provided for trainers and there should be mechanisms for regular training of community health workers. Frequent monitoring should be employed and structured feedback should be provided to ensure complete and accurate data for a better understanding of the disease trends. Involvement of the private sector in surveillance activities is evident but partial, the study said. One health approach A 'One Health' approach should be adopted involving other sectors and data-sharing mechanisms should be in place ensuring transparency of data. With the plans already being discussed by the state, we may expect an improvement in surveillance standards for influenza soon, the study said. Surveillance is the key to identifying and detecting health events in the community and it provides the scientific and factual evidence essential for informed decision-making and appropriate public health action, the study found. Study participants identified several measures to improve surveillance, which included scaling up training for healthcare workers and community-level providers, improving digital infrastructure and mobile access to reporting platforms, expanding participation from private hospitals and diagnostic labs and engaging wide range of health workers such as mid-level providers and community volunteers. Tamil Nadu has already taken steps such as introducing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to streamline sample collection and transport. Plans are also in place to establish a "One Health" secretariat aimed at improving inter-departmental coordination and surveillance of zoonotic diseases, Dr Manoj Murhekar, director of NIE said. These initiatives could boost the state's ability to track influenza and other respiratory threats more effectively, he said. The researchers recommended transitioning from seasonal to continuous surveillance of ILI/SARI. They also suggested boosting laboratory capacity and resources across all levels of care, offering regular refresher training to healthcare providers and establishing structured feedback loops and monitoring systems to improve data quality and reporting accuracy and conducting similar situation analyses across the country. The study was supported by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The findings aim to guide state-level policy and improve the preparedness for respiratory disease outbreaks, including potential pandemics, said Dr Murhekar. Respiratory infections are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Globally, in 2021, an estimated 2.18 million deaths occurred due to lower respiratory tract infections (LRI), the study mentioned. Influenza viruses were responsible for more than five million hospitalisations. The Global Burden of Disease study has estimated 98,200 deaths due to influenza globally in 2021. Thirty-six per cent of worldwide deaths due to influenza occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Influenza-associated mortality in India is higher among adults aged 65 years and above and children below five years. The Southeast Asia (SEA) region is considered a 'hotspot' for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, especially those with pandemic potential. The region has witnessed a significant increase in pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases in the last decade such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection (2002-2004), Influenza A H1N1 2009 (Swine Flu), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection (2012), and COVID-19 (2020-2023) that have resulted in high morbidity and mortality.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
ICMR-NIE study calls for year-round monitoring of respiratory infections
New Delhi: Researchers at the ICMR 's National Institute of Epidemiology ( NIE ) in Chennai have highlighted the need for year-round and integrated surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness, which are potential threats to public health, to detect early warnings. This comes in the view of a new public health study, published in 'Discover Health Systems' journal last month, which has revealed key insights into how Tamil Nadu monitors and responds to cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). The study found that surveillance efforts are stepped up only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year. The study evaluated the functioning of disease surveillance systems in four districts of the state from 2023 to 2024. Engaging more than 370 stakeholders across 85 healthcare facilities and 23 laboratories, the study found that while Tamil Nadu has built a foundation for respiratory illness surveillance, further improvements are needed to make the system more consistent, routine, and capable of responding to emerging public health threats. "This is the first study of its kind in India that provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at all levels," said Dr Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader, the principal investigator of the study, ICMR-NIE. "Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in health surveillance. This report reinforces the importance of year-round, integrated disease monitoring to protect public health," said Dr T S Selva Vinayagam , director of public health and preventive medicine, the Government of Tamil Nadu. The study stated that more than half of the facilities surveyed had systems in place to report ILI/SARI cases, but only 42 per cent regularly collected clinical samples for testing. Besides, relatively few medical personnel had received specific training in identifying and reporting such cases. Testing facilities were mostly concentrated in larger hospitals, with primary and secondary care facilities lacking necessary equipment and resources to conduct tests, Dr Rizwan said. While public health centres widely used the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), the system faced challenges such as inconsistent data entry, multiple overlapping reporting formats, and minimal participation from private hospitals and labs. "The study also noted that surveillance efforts tend to intensify only during outbreaks or specific seasons, even though respiratory viruses circulate throughout the year," Dr Rizwan said. Influenza surveillance remains a seasonal event in Tamil Nadu, the study noted. "With changing ecological conditions, efforts should be made to ensure year-round reporting of cases. Testing for influenza should be prioritised and infrastructure and testing for novel pathogens should be developed," it said. Although guidelines are in place, a gap still exists in awareness amongst the health workers, especially community health workers regarding the importance of influenza surveillance. Structured training should be provided for trainers and there should be mechanisms for regular training of community health workers. Frequent monitoring should be employed and structured feedback should be provided to ensure complete and accurate data for a better understanding of the disease trends. Involvement of the private sector in surveillance activities is evident but partial, the study said. A 'One Health' approach should be adopted involving other sectors and data-sharing mechanisms should be in place ensuring transparency of data. With the plans already being discussed by the state, we may expect an improvement in surveillance standards for influenza soon, the study said. Surveillance is the key to identifying and detecting health events in the community and it provides the scientific and factual evidence essential for informed decision-making and appropriate public health action, the study found. Study participants identified several measures to improve surveillance, which included scaling up training for healthcare workers and community-level providers, improving digital infrastructure and mobile access to reporting platforms, expanding participation from private hospitals and diagnostic labs and engaging wide range of health workers such as mid-level providers and community volunteers. Tamil Nadu has already taken steps such as introducing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to streamline sample collection and transport. Plans are also in place to establish a "One Health" secretariat aimed at improving inter-departmental coordination and surveillance of zoonotic diseases, Dr Manoj Murhekar , director of NIE said. These initiatives could boost the state's ability to track influenza and other respiratory threats more effectively, he said. The researchers recommended transitioning from seasonal to continuous surveillance of ILI/SARI. They also suggested boosting laboratory capacity and resources across all levels of care, offering regular refresher training to healthcare providers and establishing structured feedback loops and monitoring systems to improve data quality and reporting accuracy and conducting similar situation analyses across the country. The study was supported by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The findings aim to guide state-level policy and improve the preparedness for respiratory disease outbreaks, including potential pandemics, said Dr Murhekar. Respiratory infections are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Globally, in 2021, an estimated 2.18 million deaths occurred due to lower respiratory tract infections (LRI), the study mentioned. Influenza viruses were responsible for more than five million hospitalisations. The Global Burden of Disease study has estimated 98,200 deaths due to influenza globally in 2021. Thirty-six per cent of worldwide deaths due to influenza occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Influenza-associated mortality in India is higher among adults aged 65 years and above and children below five years. The Southeast Asia (SEA) region is considered a 'hotspot' for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, especially those with pandemic potential. The region has witnessed a significant increase in pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases in the last decade such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection (2002- 2004), Influenza A H1N1 2009 ( Swine Flu ), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection (2012), and COVID-19 (2020- 2023) that have resulted in high morbidity and mortality.
