Bihar reports 2.83 lakh dog bites in 2024-25, 776 victims daily

Bihar witnessed a staggering 2,83,274 dog bite incidents in 2024-25, nearly 39,000 more than the previous year , according to the Bihar Economic Survey (2025-26) tabled in the state Assembly on Monday. The survey has identified dog bites as the most “prevalent disease” in the state, affecting an average of 776 people every day .

The report, however, did not mention the number of rabies cases , which are typically transmitted through bites from infected animals, including dogs. Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) , or influenza-like illness , was the second most common ailment, with 31,025 cases reported during the year.

Among districts, Patna reported the highest number of dog bite incidents at 29,280 , followed by East Champaran (24,452), Nalanda (19,637), Gopalganj (18,879), West Champaran (17,820), Jehanabad (12,900), Gaya (10,794), Bhojpur (10,496), Purnea (10,373), and Vaishali (10,155). Districts with fewer than 2,000 incidents included Rohtas (1,967), Supaul (1,878), Khagaria (1,565), and Aurangabad (467).

A tragic incident in May 2025 saw a six-year-old boy killed and his younger brother injured by a pet dog in the Nawada area of Bhojpur district .

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted that rabies remains a serious health threat following bites from dogs, cats, bats, or monkeys. According to WHO estimates, about 59,000 people die annually from rabies , with bites from rabid dogs accounting for the majority of fatalities. While rabies is vaccine-preventable, post-exposure treatment must be administered quickly, as once symptoms appear, the disease is fatal.

Besides dog bites, the report also flagged snake bites as a major concern , with 138 deaths reported in 2024-25.