Thaindian News

Hyderabad, May 18 (IANS) A man died of rabies in Andhra Pradesh Wednesday, taking the toll due to dog bites to five in 10 days, officials said.

Subba Rao, a daily-wage labourer, died of rabies at a government hospital in Kakinada in East Godavari district of coastal Andhra, doctors said.

The 45-year-old bit his wife before his death, and she too was admitted to the hospital.

Rao was bitten by a stray dog four months ago, but he did not take anti-rabies vaccine.

All five deaths have occurred in East Godavari district, leaving the people scared. The government has constituted a technical committee to inquire into the deaths.

While three people, including an eight-year-old girl, died in Rajahmundry, two deaths have been reported from Kakinada.

Activists of various political parties Wednesday staged a protest outside Rajahmundry municipal corporation office. They blamed the municipal authorities for the deaths.

They also alleged that government-run hospitals have not stocked adequate doses of anti-rabies vaccines.

Three of the victims had approached the hospitals after dog bites, but were reportedly sent back as the vaccines were not available.

Meanwhile, the state government Wednesday submitted a report to state human rights commission on the death of eight-year-old Anusha due to lack of anti-rabies vaccines at Rajahmundry hospital.

The state government as well as the district administration admitted in their reports that there was a shortage of the vaccine between April 4 and 26.

The commission, which has issued notice to the government, adjourned the hearing to June 28.

According to health authorities, there are close to 67,000 stray dogs in the urban areas of East Godavari district alone, while their number is over 20 lakh across the state.