Publication: times Now News
Date: 03.05.2026

Rabies is a serious public health problem in India, claiming around 18,000–20,000 lives each year according to NCDC and WHO data, with over 40% of victims being children under 15 — largely due to bites from stray dogs, of which India has more than 30 million. The virus spreads through saliva from infected animals via bites, scratches, or licks on broken skin, travelling to the brain and causing near-certain death if not treated promptly.
The article features insights from Dr. Amit P. Ghawade, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Navi Mumbai.