Rabies on rise

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry focused special attention on the need to eliminate hydrophobia, commonly known as rabies from Sri Lanka, considering the record number of over 400,000 patients reported from many parts of the country. According to Health Department statistics about 28 deaths due to rabies were reported from various districts during the first six months of this year.

It is also reported that many more persons afflicted with hydrophobia, who live in very remote areas and had not sought treatment from Government hospitals would have died during this period. Statistics also revealed that there are nearly 600,000 domesticated dogs are in the country at present while the area health authorities have already given the anti-rabies vaccination to nearly 55,000 stray dogs islandwide.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer , Public Health and Veterinary Health Service Director Dr. P. A. L Harischandra highlighted that a sum of Rs. 500 million is spent by the Government on anti-rabies campaign every year.

Meanwhile, a senior Health Department official said that over 65,000 female dogs have been sterilised by area health authorities in order to reduce their population.

"It is the duty of the dog owners to look after their pets carefully by giving vaccinations in time; similarly the area public health authorities should keep vigil on stray dogs," he said.

Meanwhile, the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry while urging the public to be vigilant on their own dogs as well as stray dogs who are roaming around, also request them to extend their co-operation to make the Government's `Rabies-Free Society Program' a success by the year 2016.