Chennai, Jan 3 (NationPress) With a noticeable increase in dog bite incidents throughout Tamil Nadu in 2025, Salem district has become the most impacted area, leading the state in both the number of reported dog bites and rabies-related fatalities, as per data from the Health Department.

Official statistics reveal that between January and November 2025, there were 45,102 dog bite reports in Salem district, making it the highest in Tamil Nadu. Health officials anticipate that this figure will further escalate once the December data is finalized. Early estimates suggest there could be an additional 3,500 cases recorded in December 2025.

The most significant increase was noted in November, when the district saw 5,624 dog bite cases within just one month, marking it the district's worst month of the year.

In terms of deaths, Salem recorded four rabies-related fatalities during this timeframe, the highest in the state. Statewide records indicate that Tiruvannamalai district also reported four rabies deaths in 2025.

Health officials attribute Salem’s alarming statistics primarily to its vast geographical area and population distribution. The district features a blend of densely populated urban centers and vast rural areas, which leads to a higher incidence of dog bites, as there are fewer close-knit communities available to care for, vaccinate, and feed the stray dogs, thereby causing aggression.

On average, at least two dog bite cases are documented daily at each of the 106 Primary Health Centres in the district. Additionally, cases treated in private hospitals and medical colleges contribute to the total.

Officials express that the growing population of stray dogs is a significant concern. They emphasize that effective long-term population control can only be realized through ongoing Animal Birth Control sterilization programs, necessitating coordinated efforts among municipal bodies, local panchayats, and the Animal Husbandry Department.

Health authorities have also cautioned that the rabies fatalities recorded in 2025 were primarily preventable. Once symptoms develop, rabies is virtually always fatal, making it crucial for victims to seek immediate medical care following any dog bite. Victims are urged to receive anti-rabies vaccinations promptly, regardless of whether the bite was from a stray or a pet dog.

Completing the full vaccination course is vital, and Primary Health Centres keep follow-up records to ensure patients do not abandon their treatment.

The Salem City Municipal Corporation reported that it intensified its efforts in 2025 to tackle the issue. Two Animal Birth Control centres are operational in the city, sterilizing around 500 dogs each month. A recent survey estimated nearly 24,000 stray and unlicensed dogs within the corporation's limits.

The Corporation is also working on establishing shelters for dogs found in sensitive public areas such as hospitals and stadiums, following directives from the Supreme Court. To mitigate unsafe practices, one designated feeding point has been set up in each of the city’s 60 wards. Animal welfare advocates note that the uptick in reported cases also points to heightened public awareness, with more individuals now seeking vaccinations after dog bites, which is a positive trend toward reducing rabies-related fatalities.

aal/rad