Biting truth: TN's rabies deaths highest in 5 yrs

TAMIL NADU is facing an alarming surge in the number of rabies-related deaths and dog bites this year, with 34 human fatalities and 6.42 lakh dog bite cases reported so far, the highest recorded in the past five years.

- S V KRISHNA CHAITANYA

Despite progress in controlling other vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, rabies has proven to be a major public health threat with its 100% fatality rate standing in stark contrast to the state's zero deaths from malaria, chikungunya, EXPRESS ILLUSTRATION scrub typhus, leptospirosis, and Japanese encephalitis this year.

Even dengue, which saw 16,081 positive cases this year, has resulted in only seven deaths. However, rabies continues to claim lives, killing all 34 people who were infected so far this year.