Bihar Grapples with Alarming Dog Bite Epidemic: 776 Daily Victims Reported
The Bihar Economic Survey (2025-26), tabled in the state assembly on Monday, has unveiled a disturbing public health crisis: an average of 776 people fall victim to dog bites every single day across the state. This staggering statistic emerges from a detailed analysis of the data provided in the comprehensive report, highlighting a growing menace that demands immediate attention.
Sharp Rise in Incidents: Over 2.83 Lakh Cases in FY 2024-25
The report presents a grim picture, documenting a total of 2,83,274 dog bite incidents during the financial year 2024-25. This figure marks a significant increase of approximately 38,900 cases compared to the previous fiscal year, which recorded 2,44,367 such incidents. This upward trend underscores the escalating nature of the problem, transforming it into one of Bihar's most pressing health challenges.
Dog Bites Identified as Most Prevalent Disease in Bihar
In a concerning classification, the Economic Survey report has identified dog bites as the most "prevalent disease" afflicting the state. This designation places it above other significant health issues, with Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) or influenza-like illness ranking as the second most prevalent ailment. The latter accounted for 31,025 cases during the previous financial year, further illustrating the diverse health burdens faced by Bihar's population.
District-Wise Breakdown: Patna Leads with Highest Incidence
The report provides a detailed geographical analysis, revealing stark disparities in dog bite incidents across Bihar's districts:
- Patna district reported the highest number of cases in 2024-25, with a staggering 29,280 incidents.
- It was followed closely by East Champaran (24,452), Nalanda (19,637), Gopalganj (18,879), and West Champaran (17,820).
- Other significantly affected districts include Jehanabad (12,900), Gaya (10,794), Bhojpur (10,496), Purnia (10,373), and Vaishali (10,155).
Conversely, some districts reported fewer than 2,000 incidents, such as Rohtas (1,967), Supaul (1,878), Khagaria (1,565), and Aurangabad (467), indicating localized variations in the crisis.
Recent Tragic Incidents Highlight Severity of the Crisis
The data is further contextualized by a series of harrowing incidents reported across the state, demonstrating the real-world impact of this epidemic:
- In May 2025, a six-year-old boy was tragically mauled to death, and his younger brother injured, by a pet dog in the Nawada area of Ara town, Bhojpur district.
- July 2025 witnessed a single rabid dog causing mass panic in Rohtas district, biting approximately 50 people within a frantic 90-minute spree.
- The tourist hub of Bodh Gaya recorded hundreds of dog bite incidents in 2025, including attacks on foreign tourists at the iconic Mahabodhi temple, tarnishing the state's image.
- Also in May 2025, five people, including three children, were injured in a series of dog attacks in the Kurji Balupar area near Danapur in Patna, sparking widespread fear.
- In July 2025, a pack of nine stray dogs severely mauled a woman in Gopalganj district, necessitating her urgent admission to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital.
- As recently as January 2026, at least eight people were bitten in a single day in the Bochaha area of Muzaffarpur district, highlighting the persistent and unrelenting nature of the threat.
These incidents collectively paint a vivid picture of a public health emergency that extends beyond mere statistics, affecting communities, tourism, and daily life across Bihar. The Economic Survey's findings serve as a crucial wake-up call, urging comprehensive strategies to address this escalating dog bite epidemic and safeguard the well-being of the state's residents.
