Animal attacks on humans rise in Armenia

The number of people injured by animals in Armenia has increased sharply, according to official statistics.

Data from the Statistical Committee show that 10,150 cases were recorded between January and October 2025, significantly higher than in previous years. Almost one third of the victims (3,481) were children under 18, while 3,141 cases involved residents of rural areas, highlighting the scale of the problem outside cities.

During the same period, two cases of rabies in humans were confirmed, including one child. No human rabies cases were reported in the same months of 2023 or 2024.

By comparison, 8,861 cases of animal-related injuries were recorded in January-October 2024, and 6,919 in the same period in 2023.

Rabies remains one of the most dangerous diseases transmitted from animals to humans. It is usually spread through bites or saliva from infected animals and is almost always fatal without timely treatment. Health experts stress that post-exposure vaccination is the only effective prevention.

Specialists say that even a single rabies case indicates a failure in the prevention system, from animal vaccination to rapid medical response after bites. The risk is highest from stray and unvaccinated dogs, with children considered the most vulnerable group.