Shillong: East Khasi Hills recorded 8,403 dog-bite cases between January and September 2026. Data from the District Surveillance Officer Dr. Robert R. Marak shows a grim trend. Cases climbed from 5,085 in 2023 to 7,233 in 2024, hitting 10,460 in 2025. Urban areas account for 64 percent of this year's bites. Domestic dogs caused 82 percent of all attacks.
State health authorities confirmed 44 suspected rabies deaths across Meghalaya from 2024 to 2026. Three of those deaths occurred in East Khasi Hills, with others reported in West Khasi Hills, North Garo Hills, and West Jaintia Hills. Marak warned that the virus is deadly once symptoms show. "Rabies is preventable but is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appear," Marak said.
Victims must wash wounds with soap and running water for 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical help. Assistant Commissioner Ronald Garry Dunai launched a pilot program in East Khasi Hills targeting pet registration, mandatory vaccinations, owner notices, and designated feeding zones for strays. The strategy relies on a One Health approach between the Health and Veterinary departments and local leaders.
Vaccination efforts continue elsewhere. In Tura, municipal and veterinary staff vaccinated over 30 pets by midday Monday at the State Veterinary Dispensary. Officials noted that Tura has almost no unowned stray dogs, as most are cared for by local residents. In Ampati, South West Garo Hills, health leaders reported two rabies deaths in the Betasing area over the last two years. Authorities in Shillong, Tura, and Ampati observed World Rabies Day with the theme "Stronger Together" to push for better community coordination.
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