Pakistan has confirmed its first rabies-related death of 2026 due to a mongoose bite, according to health officials.
A spokesperson from Indus Hospital reported that a 42-year-old woman from Jacobabad passed away after contracting rabies from a mongoose attack.
Rabies Programme Manager Aftab Gohar stated that the woman was bitten by the mongoose nearly two weeks prior to her death but did not seek medical help or get post-exposure vaccination.
Health experts pointed out that while rabies is usually linked to dog bites, it can also spread through bites from infected wild animals like mongooses.
Officials noted this case as the first rabies death in Pakistan this year caused by a mongoose bite and urged the public to seek immediate medical attention after any animal bite to avoid infection.
Sindh launches anti-rabies campaign
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah initiated a province-wide Rabies Prevention Campaign, announcing that the Sindh government would implement a thorough and coordinated approach to eradicate preventable rabies fatalities through extensive awareness, treatment facilities, vaccination initiatives, and management of the stray dog population.
During a meeting at the CM House, the Chief Minister mentioned that rabies continues to pose a significant yet preventable public health issue and instructed all relevant departments to collaborate closely to guarantee timely treatment, public education, and effective preventive strategies throughout the province.
While initiating the campaign, Murad Ali Shah stated that the Sindh government was committed to improving both preventive and treatment measures to protect valuable human lives.
Read more: Sindh govt launches anti-rabies campaign across province
