PESHAWAR – The rising incidents of rat-bite have posed serious threat of rabies to the Peshawarites as about 426 cases in the provincial capital’s Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) were reported during last one week.
Doctor Hina, who is dealing with the rat-bit patients at LRH told that the number of victims, referred to hospital for treatment, was daily increasing which was “alarming and unprecedented”. The children are the most vulnerable segment to rat-bite, who are mostly attacked at night, she added.
She said most of the reported cases were from within the city including Qisakhwani, Namak Mandi, Bashirabad, Kohati, Bacha Khan Colony, Karkhano Market, where there was no proper disposal of solid waste. Cases have also been reported from Charsadda, she said.
Dr Hina also sought help from the media to educate people in spreading awareness to ensure cleanliness and proper disposal of solid waste. She also stressed Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSP) to ensure quick disposal of animal and poultry waste, main contributors to rats’ growth.
“The rats carrying rabies virus were as dangerous as rabid dogs and a victim can die within 10 to 15 days,” she said, adding that “Fever, headache, vomiting, agitation, anxiety and hyperactivity are among main symptoms of rabid rats’ bite.” She said anti-rabies vaccines were available free of cost at the LRH and victims were being administered. She said the vaccine was very expensive and costs up to Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000, if purchased from the open market.
Zameen, a constable of Kabli police station, told that he was also bitten by a giant rat during sleep tonight at barrack and was rushed to the LRH after severe pain. Muhammad Abdullah, (11) a resident of Qisakhwan bazaar, who was also attacked by an aggressive rat at chin and lower lip, said he was taking his meal when the rat bit him.
WSSP Zonal in-charge Salahuddin Khan when contacted said that cleanup operation against the ‘giant rats’ was being carried out in different areas of Peshawar and about 4,000 rats so far have been killed.
