MARKHOR (The Journal of Zoology)

Rabies Remains a Persistent and Growing Public Health Challenge in Pakistan

2025-10-02T10:30:23+00:00

Rabies is one of the most neglected chronic endemic diseases and preventable infectious disorders in the Indo-Pak subcontinent. It is a viral zoonotic disease with dogs as the primary source of transmission, and is a significant problem in many developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, over 55,000 people die from rabies each year, with more than 31,000 of those deaths occurring in Asia, primarily affecting children [1]. Pakistan, ranks third in the world for rabies fatalities, with approximately 2,490 deaths annually. Rabies is primarily transmitted through dog bites. Initial symptoms include fever, pain, hallucinations, photophobia, and when virus enters brain, it damages CNS and spinal cord leading to paralysis, coma, and death. While preventive treatments such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can save lives, a lack of awareness, non-vaccinated dogs, limited access to healthcare, and poor clinical diagnosis is leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in rural areas [2,3].

Previous studies in Pakistan have revealed high burden of rabies in both urban and rural populations with 19.13% rabies-related deaths. Most of these deaths were in villages. The findings also indicated a poor prophylxis with 40% bite victims visiting hospitals, 24% seeking spiritual remedies, and 11% receiving no treatment at all. This highlights a critical gap in healthcare access with diagnosis of rabies, and the need for raising awareness about the importance of seeking medical treatment for dog bites in rural communities [4].

Another study in Pakistan pointed out that cases of dog bites particularly in Karachi are underreported with many of their victims failing to receive medical attention. Karachi was also declared as a hot spot in terms of rabies exposure, mainly because of the huge number of stray dogs listed there. This highlights the pressing need to implement specific disease-controlling interventions, including enhancing access to healthcare and awareness of the risks of rabies and the need to obtain medical treatment in a timely manner. [5].

Additionally, lack of coordinated efforts, such as mass immunization, effective dog control efforts, has worsened the spread of rabies in Pakistan. Despite the strategies that have been outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations to eliminate human rabies spread by dogs by the year 2030, Pakistan is not doing much to do so. Studies show that regular and accessible rabies prophylaxis, including mass dog vaccination, substantial publicity, and the establishment of well-equipped diagnostic centers are needed to control and prevent the disease [6]. A coordinated strategy of government agencies, health organization and local communities can be an important aspect of controlling rabies to avoid future deaths. The government should focus on the human vaccination, and on controlling the dog population, including making rabies vaccines readily available and by injection in hospitals especially in rural locations, and by taking measures to control dog population.

Centrorhynchus saluni n.sp. (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from the Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) in Saleh Pat, Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan

2025-09-01T06:04:58+00:00

The Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) is a widespread, non-migratory resident bird of Pakistan that inhabits diverse habitats, including agricultural landscapes and forested areas. Objectives: To describe a new species of Centrorhynchus from the Greater Coucal in Sindh, contributing to the knowledge of acanthocephalan diversity in Pakistan and the global taxonomy of the genus. Methods: Three Greater Coucals (Centropus sinensis) were collected through purposive sampling during routine avian surveys in Saleh Pat, Sukkur District, Pakistan. Gastrointestinal tracts were dissected and screened under a stereomicroscope. Worms were relaxed in hot water, fixed in AFA, stained with borax carmine, dehydrated through graded ethanol, cleared, and mounted in Canada balsam. Line drawings (Olympus BH2-DA) and photomicrographs (OMAX 10 MP) were prepared. Diagnostic features were consistent across specimens. The approach aligns with established acanthocephalan taxonomy protocols, where complete specimens validate new species, and the study focused on description rather than ecological statistics. Results: Seven acanthocephalans were recovered from the intestines of two Greater Coucals (Centropus sinensis), representing a new species, Centrorhynchus saluni n. sp. Male measured 6.27–6.70 mm, and female 7.41–7.92 mm. Diagnostic features include specific proboscis and receptacle dimensions, cylindrical lemnisci longer than the receptacle, tandem to slightly oblique testes, six elongated cement glands, and a posterior bursa in male. Female possess a uterine bell with eggs measuring 0.075–0.085 × 0.030–0.038 mm. Conclusions: Centrorhynchus saluni n. sp., discovered in the Greater Coucal from Sindh, Pakistan, enhances knowledge of Centrorhynchidae diversity and introduces new diagnostic traits.

Acute Toxicity and Behavioral Anomalies in Labeo Rohita Due to Exposure of Expired Permethrin, Malathion and Dichlorovos Mixture

2025-09-22T10:14:04+00:00

greater threat to freshwater organisms. Objectives: To measure the tolerance limit of Labeo rohita to expired permethrin, malathion, and dichlorovos mixture at different concentrations. Methods: Freshwater fingerlings of L. rohita were exposed to sub-lethal (0.3mg/l) and lethal (2.3mg/l) concentrations of permethrin, malathion, and dichlorovos mixture, with three replications under constant water temperature (16-30°C), total water hardness (225mgL^-1) and pH (6.8-7.7) for 96-hr. Probit analysis was used to calculate the Lethal concentration (LC50) and (LC100) of 96-hour exposure of the pesticide mixture for fish. Correlation analyses were conducted to identify relationships between the variables under study. Physicochemical parameters of water (Electrical conductivity (EC), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and Salinity) were recorded on a 12-hr basis. Results: For 96 hours, the mean values of LC50 and LC100 of L. rohita were calculated as 1.53 ± 0.028 and 3.05 ± 0.083 mgL^-1, respectively. L. rohita exhibited behavioural changes such as erratic swimming, loss of equilibrium, heavy breathing, and abnormal posture due to the toxic effects of the pesticide mixture. Correlation analysis indicates that increasing concentrations of permethrin, malathion, and dichlorvos pesticides significantly degrade water quality, reducing DO while increasing ORP, salinity, and EC. Conclusions: It was concluded that an expired pesticide mixture is more lethal to aquatic life than an unexpired pesticide mixture. So, it is important to take precautionary measures before discarding expired pesticides in aquatic ecosystems.