Rabies Alert In Thiruvananthapuram

Recently, the Health Wing Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram confirmed another rabid dog case in Peerokada. This is the 4th case that has been registered since last month. Since the schools will remain close due to summer break in June, the health wing is likely to announce a rabies alert in the city.

Why the corporation is going to issue a Rabies alert?

The Animal Birth Control (ABC) team of corporation received a call from a resident of an apartment at Peroorkada regarding a rabid dog posing threat to the people. By the time they reached the place, the dog was dead and a sample was sent to the disease investigating laboratory at Palode. The result confirmed that the dog was rabid.

Two weeks ago, a rabid dog had spread scare at Kuravankonam and the corporation had directed the residents to take anti-rabies vaccination. In April, a stray dog went berserk at Kaladi and bit nine people including an eight-year-old boy who was playing in front of his house. The boy was bitten on his fingers while his mother who tried to ward off the dog was bitten on her arms.

In March, a stray dog which had bitten people and cows was confirmed rabid and was found dead on the premises of a house at Pappanamcode. The growing presence of rabid stray dogs is posing questions on efficacy of the vaccination programme. The corporation has been avoiding a vaccination drive for almost a year and except for the dogs being caught and castrated, no other dogs are administered with anti-rabies vaccine.

What authorities said in the matter

“We will issue a rabies alert warning people to keep off dogs showing violent instincts. Children going to school should avoid going near dogs. Besides there are certain people who let out their pet dogs in the night and chances are high for these dogs getting infected with rabies virus. Owners of such dogs should also take anti-rabies vaccination,” said S Bijulal, corporation vet.

Source: The Times of India

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