Kushtia:At least 51 individuals, including women and children, were bitten by a suspected rabid dog in Kumarkhali upazila within a span of about 20 hours, starting from Wednesday evening.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the attacks occurred between 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in various areas of Kumarkhali town, as well as Nandolalpur and Shelaidah unions. Victims received treatment at the Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex, where 47 of them were administered anti-rabies vaccines, while the remaining six were advised to return for vaccination on Friday morning.
The incidents began when a black stray dog, suspected to be rabid, started biting people around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. In just about an hour, 33 people were bitten in Hall Bazar, Amtala, Indra Mor, and Haytapara areas of Nandolalpur union. The attacks continued into Thursday, affecting 18 more individuals in Majgram, Kalyanpur, and Joralpur areas of Nandolalpur and Shelaidah unions.
Local residents, alarmed by the repeated attacks, have called on authorities to capture the dog promptly. Acting Kumarkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Navid Sarowar confirmed that efforts are underway to identify the dog and implement necessary measures.