Epidemiological Trends and Seasonal Patterns of Dog, Monkey, Cat and Snake Bite Cases: A Five-Year Retrospective Study from A Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India

Background: Animal bite injuries are a significant public health problem, particularly in countries like India where close interaction between humans and animals is common. These injuries pose a risk of infections such as rabies and contribute to the burden on healthcare systems. Understanding the pattern of animal bite cases is important for planning effective prevention and control measures, especially in regions with unique environmental and ecological conditions. Methods: A retrospective record-based study was conducted at Indira Gandhi Medical College, a tertiary care hospital in Shimla. All reported cases of animal bites from January 2021 to December 2025 were included. Data were collected from hospital records maintained at the Anti-Rabies Clinic/Outpatient Department. Variables analysed included type of animal, and year-wise, month-wise, and seasonal distribution of cases. Data were compiled in Microsoft Excel and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 19,695 animal bite cases were reported during the study period. Dogs were responsible for the majority of cases (54.4%), followed by monkeys (33.8%), cats (9.0%), and other animals (2.9%). The number of cases showed an increasing trend from 2021 to 2024, with a slight decline in 2025. Month-wise analysis revealed higher cases during July and August, while seasonal distribution showed a peak during summer (33.4%) followed by the monsoon season (30.2%). Monkey bites were notably high, reflecting local human–animal interaction patterns. Additionally, 304 snake bite cases were reported, showing year-to-year variation without a consistent trend. Conclusion: Animal bite cases remain a major public health concern in this region, with dogs and monkeys contributing to the majority of cases. The observed temporal and seasonal variations highlight the influence of environmental and behavioural factors. The findings emphasize the need for region-specific preventive strategies, strengthened awareness programs, and improved animal control measures to reduce the burden of animal bite injuries.