Outbreak of rabies
 

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe and Kapila Somaratne

An outbreak of rabies disease is suspected in the Wadduwa area following a attack on a four- year- old boy by an infected pig. The Panadura Pradeshiya Sabbha will soon decide whether to cull all stray pigs roaming in the Wadduwa coastal belt suspected to be infected with rabies decease.

A four- year- old child mauled by a diseased pig was admitted to the Panadura hospital for serious facial injuries, he suffered during the attack last week.

The child is being given several antibiotic injections as a precautionary measure to prevent him being infected with rabies disease, hospital sources said.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Inspector (PHI) of the Panudura Pradeshiya Sabbha, Karunaratne Banda said the pig's head was severed and despatched to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) at Borella for a complete report after the animal's carcass was found lying on the Wadduwa beach. According to the Public Health Inspector Karunaratna Banda, the Medical Research Institute doctors have confirmed that the pig suffered from rabies.

PHI Karunartne had then submitted a detailed report to the Panadura Pradeshiya Sabbha Chairman Sunethra Fernando to take immediate action to cull the pigs roaming in the Wadduwa beach. It is estimated around 300-400 pigs roam the Wadduwa coastal belt.

Chairman Fernando has prepared motion to be fabled at the Panadura Pradehiya Sabbha meeting on May 30 to discuss the situation regarding stray pigs loitering in the beach area.

The Public Health Inspector (PHI) Karunaratne had requested the Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabbha to take steps to exterminate all stray pigs in the Wadduwa costal belt suspected to be infected with rabies to prevent the danger posed to the public.