Sharp drop in rabies deaths

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry said although the number of deaths due to rabies has dropped in Sri Lanka to 50 percent last year compared to the deaths reported during 2006 to 2010, people should be more vigilant about rabid dogs in their vicinity, especially during this rainy season.

According to Health Education Bureau (HEB) statistics, 18 deaths due to rabies were reported from the Western Province in 2009, while this figure had dropped to 11 in 2010 due to number of awareness programs carried out by Local Government institutions in collaboration with the Health Department.

Rabies affects the central nervous system.

It is transmitted to people even from infected mammals such as bats, cats, monkeys and bandicoots.

The HEB said that if a person is bitten by a rabid dog, the wound should be thoroughly washed with soap and a lot of water.

Try to stop the bleeding and seek medical attention immediately.

Health Ministry, Epidemiologist, Dr. Sudath Peris told the Sunday Observer that rabies animals bite or scratch a person.

The virus infects the central nervous system. The brain becomes inflamed. The virus travels into nerves and multiplies in other organs.

The HEB also said that headache, fever, sore throat, pain or tingling at the site of the bite, paralysis and coma are the main symptoms of rabies.

Dr. Peris called upon dog owners to look after their pets well, get regular vaccinations for them and refrain from sending them into the streets and protect them from stray dogs to eliminate the rabies menace.

He said the Health Department spends millions of rupees annually to treat rabies patients, to vaccinate over one million dogs and for birth control of dogs.