Over 250,000 people get bitten by animals a year

Between 250,000 and 300,000 persons fall victim to animal bites each year, said Dr. Samitha Siritunga of the health ministry’s noncommunicable diseases unit.

He said the figure could exceed 300,000 by 2028, with increasing incidents of people getting bitten by dogs, cats, monkeys and other animals.

In 2023, he said, 116,000 people obtained OPD treatment for animal bites at state hospitals, with no figures available on those who had consulted private and Ayurvedic doctors.

Furthermore, attacks by jackals, wild bear and crocodiles are reported, and animal behaviour leads to road accidents mostly involving motorcyclists and cyclists too, he said.

Dr. Siritunga said his unit has introduced a new approach to minimise bites and attacks by stray and wild animals.