KARACHI – Medical authorities in Karachi have documented Pakistan’s first known case of rabies transmission from a cow to a human. The victim, an 18-year-old farmer from Landhi, sought treatment after being bitten on the hand and thumb by his cow—a rare and previously unreported route of infection in the country.
Unusual Source of Infection
According to specialists at the Rabies Prevention and Training Center at Indus Hospital, the farmer had been vaccinated following a dog bite four years earlier and received booster shots instead of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). The cow, which had been bitten by a stray dog days earlier, later died; post-mortem PCR testing on brain tissue confirmed rabies.
Expert Warnings on Livestock Risk
Dr Naseem Salahuddin of Indus Hospital noted that while rabies in livestock is not uncommon, this is the first documented case of cow-to-human transmission in Pakistan. She warned that livestock handlers should be alert to the risk and called for urgent measures to address rural exposure.
Calls for Rabies Control Measures
Experts emphasised the need for expanded rabies surveillance and vaccination programmes targeting both humans and animals. They also urged improved access to emergency treatments like RIG and accurate wound-care protocols in rural centres, where resources are limited.
Public Health Implications
Rabies remains a lethal disease with nearly 100% fatality after symptoms develop. Most cases in Pakistan stem from dog bites, especially in remote areas with limited access to vaccinations. Health officials highlight the critical importance of immediate post-exposure care—wound cleansing and timely vaccination—to prevent death.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
