Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 30: Kashmir has witnessed a significant surge in cat bite cases, with the number of reported incidents doubling within a year.
According to official data, around 6,000 cat bite cases have been reported at the Anti-Rabies Clinic (ARC) SMHS from June 2024 till date, compared to 2,824 cases during June 2023-May 2024.
Details reveal that 440 cat bite cases were reported at the clinic in June 2024 followed by 440 in July, 432 in August, 414 in September, 486 in October, 399 in November, 514 and December, 692 in January 2025, 658 in February, 542 in March, 491 in April and 537 in May till date taking total number of cat bite cases from June 2024 till date to 6095
An official at ARC SMHS said cats do transmit Rabies, similar to dogs. He said cat bite cases are on the rise, and people must take precautions in this regard.
“The trend of keeping cats as pets has gone up, especially post-COVID times, but in many instances, the owners are not following norms like vaccination, deworming, timely treatment and hygiene practices,” he said. “We have seen a manifold increase in the number of cases visiting the Anti Rabies Clinic SMHS over the last three years. Almost half cases are victims of cat exposures.”
Officials said Kashmir witnessed a surge in pet ownership over the last decade. In contrast to farm animals that provide milk, meat and eggs, pets are companion animals and are kept purely for companionship.
They said that adherence to personal hygiene while handling pets is important for keeping Zoonosis at bay. “A person who intends to keep a pet must be mentally prepared to take proper care of their pet animal with respect to behavioural requirements, adequate feeding, shelter and healthcare facilities. There is no fun in bringing home an animal without taking due care of it,” they advised.
They said deworming is crucial to eliminate internal parasites that can affect both animal and human health. Vaccinations protect pets from contagious diseases that may also pose risks to humans, they explained.
Officials cautioned that many pet owners neglect vaccinating their animals for years, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Experts said that a cat bite could lead to infections, such as toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease transmitted by cats. While rare, toxoplasmosis can cause complications like miscarriage in pregnant women, but with proper hygiene, the risk remains minimal.
Notably, rabies is a universally fatal viral disease responsible for approximately 59,000 human deaths annually worldwide, with about 95 per cent of cases occurring in Africa and Asia. The officials urged the public to maintain vigilance and adhere to preventive measures to ensure safety for both humans and pets. (KNO)
