A spate of suspected rabies deaths following dog bites in northern Bangladesh has triggered widespread concern and panic in rural communities, after three residents of Sundarganj Upazila in Gaibandha District died within days of each other.
Local authorities confirmed the fatalities on Monday night, with Sundarganj Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Shahin Mohammad Amanullah acknowledging the deaths and the growing fear among residents.
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Chain of infections and delayed treatment
Local sources report that the latest victim, 37-year-old mason Rataneshwar Kumar of Bazra Kanchibari village under Kanchibari Union, died on 8 May after being bitten by a dog approximately two weeks earlier. His condition deteriorated despite prolonged treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where he spent 14 days before succumbing to the infection.
Earlier, on 6 May, two other residents—55-year-old Nanda Rani and 42-year-old Ful Miah from the same union—also died after developing symptoms consistent with rabies.
Family members of the victims reported a recurring pattern of delayed access to life-saving anti-rabies vaccines. After initial treatment at Sundarganj Upazila Health Complex, patients were referred to Gaibandha General Hospital due to a shortage of vaccines. In several cases, relatives were forced to search private pharmacies and clinics to obtain doses at high cost, leading to critical delays in treatment.
Summary of reported fatalities
| Name | Age | Location | Date of death | Suspected cause | Treatment pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nanda Rani | 55 | Kanchibari Union | 6 May | Rabies (suspected) | Local hospital → referral care |
| Ful Miah | 42 | Kanchibari Union | 6 May | Rabies (suspected) | Local hospital → referral care |
| Rataneshwar Kumar | 37 | Bazra Kanchibari | 8 May | Rabies (confirmed/suspected) | Upazila hospital → Rangpur Medical College Hospital |
Earlier mass bite incident
The situation escalated further after an incident on 22 April, when a stray dog reportedly bit at least 13 people, including women and children, across Bazra Kanchibari, Kanchibari, and nearby areas of Mandoler Hat in neighbouring Chaparhat Union. Several victims remain under treatment, while one woman, Afroza Begum, was transferred to Dhaka for advanced medical care due to critical condition.
At least nine others are still receiving treatment in different medical facilities.
Vaccine shortage and public concern
Local teacher and social worker Abdul Mannan criticised the shortage of anti-rabies vaccines at public health facilities, stating that patients are frequently turned away or forced to seek private alternatives. He warned that the lack of immediate treatment is directly contributing to avoidable deaths.
Residents have since become increasingly cautious, with visible fear affecting daily movement in affected villages. Many are calling for urgent action to control the stray dog population.
Official response
Sundarganj police confirmed that one aggressive dog was recently killed by a local resident, although authorities say they cannot yet estimate the total number of stray or rabid dogs in the area.
District health officials stated that they were not immediately aware of the full extent of the fatalities but emphasised that timely vaccination after any animal bite is essential to prevent rabies. They also highlighted the need for proper wound care and stronger awareness campaigns.
Health experts have urged the government to ensure a stable supply of anti-rabies vaccines and to implement coordinated animal control measures to prevent further loss of life.