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EM Bureau
Dimapur, Sep. 28 (EMN): Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services observed the 15th ‘World Rabies Day’ on September 28 by organising awareness programmes and vaccination drives across the state on the theme ‘Rabies: facts not fear.’
A DIPR report stated that the Covid-19 pandemic has raised many doubts and misconceptions about vaccination in general and there has been hesitancy in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines in many countries and many people are afraid to get vaccinated.
The department, however, stated that it is nothing new for rabies as fears, misconceptions, and misinformation about the disease and its prevention dates back hundreds of years. For that reason, it stated that this year’s theme was focused on sharing facts about rabies and not spreading fear about the disease by relying on misinformation and myths.
It stated that the department in all the districts celebrated the ‘World Rabies Day’ by conducting an awareness programme to raise awareness and educate others about rabies – a 99% fatal, yet 100% preventable disease and giving out free anti-rabies vaccines to the pet lovers.
It added that a total of 2024 dogs were vaccinated against rabies.
Marking the ‘World Rabies Day,’ office of the chief veterinary officer (CVO), Kohima, and the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) jointly organised a programme at State Indoor Stadium in Kohima.
Speaking during the occasion, Dr. Elizabeth Yhome, veterinary surgeon from Veterinary Hospital Kohima, informed that rabies is one of the most alarming viral diseases of dogs, which is caused by a bullet shaped virus known as Rhabdo virus. She narrated how the zoonotic viral disease is transmitted through saliva, bites and scratches from infected dogs to a healthy dog or human being.
However, the surgeon stated that rabies is 100% preventable disease. Yhome informed that the first vaccine should be given when a dog is three months old.
When a dog bites a person at any point of time, she advised the dog owner along with the dog to immediately visit the nearest veterinary health centre for examination and 10 days observation of the dog.
The symptoms of rabies in dogs are changes in normal behaviour, over sensitive/ alert and aggressive; restless and tend to bite without any provocation; profuse salivation, inability to take food and fear of water; inordinate movement and paralysis of jaw; high tone bark.
Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. D Rokozo Dolie, chief veterinary officer, Kohima, said ‘World Rabies Day’ is observed globally every year on September 28 to raise awareness about the impact of the viral disease on both animals and humans.
Stating that rabies is a deadly disease, he urged the pet owners to take utmost responsibility in getting their animals vaccinated.
T Lanusenla Longkumer, administrator of KMC, shared about her experience of witnessing a young girl who passed away after being infected with rabies while at a hospital.
Citing an example, she reminded the dog owners to be responsible in keeping their animals, families and community safe by letting their pets receive timely vaccination. Longkumer further informed that dog registration could also be done at KMC office with a payment of INR 100.
During the programme, a total of 365 dogs were administered free vaccinations.
In a related programme, the district veterinary hospital in Kiphire conducted an
awareness programme on rabies and free anti-rabies vaccination drives.
The chief veterinary officer of Kiphire, Dr. Tsilise Sangtam, stated that ‘World Rabies Day’ is observed every year on September 28 to mark the death anniversary of French chemist and microbiologist, Louis Pasteur, who first developed the rabies vaccine.
Sangtam added that it aims to raise awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals and also to support advocacy for increased efforts in rabies control. He also said that rabies is a communicable disease that could spread to people and pets if they are bitten by a rabies animal.
While informing that the disease could be fatal but yet preventable, he urged everyone to be aware about the disease in order to stay safe from the disease.
A short video clip was also shown regarding the rabies disease.