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Rs. 200 m spent annually to curb hydrophobia: Official

by Matara central correspondent

Rs. 200 million has been spent annually to prevent hydrophobia, said Public Veterinary Services Director P. L. Harischandra.

Speaking at a conference to explain ways of implementing a national policy to prevent hydrophobia at the Matara District Secretariat recently, he said if the large amount of money spent to curb hydrophobia needs to be avoided, the spread of hydrophobia should be brought to a halt.

The main cause for the spread of the disease is the increase in stray dogs. The public should rear dogs responsibly. This will enable to stop the spread of hydrophobia. The public must also be educated of their obligations, Harischandra said.

The ordinance on the prevention of hydrophobia is 100 years old and health and local government sectors should act together to bring a halt to this disease. Prevention is the duty of the health department while controlling the spread of hydrophobia is the duty of the local government sector. The responsibility of registration and vaccination of dogs is with local government institutions, he said.

Harischandra said bites by vaccinated dogs is no cause for alarm while ferocious dogs must be controlled with mouth-guards.

Dr. R. U. K. Ratnayake of the Matara General Hospital said 74 per cent of victim of dog-bites relate to domestic incidents.

Only 14 per cent of pet dogs are vaccinated against hydrophobia. A colossal sum of money has to be spent on administration of vaccination. The public must be educated about the danger of the sickness if contacted, he said. Matara District Secretary G. S. Ediriweera who presided said according to reports, Rs. 70 lakhs have been spent in Puttalam for the vaccine.

If prevention is started at a district level, a vast sum could be saved and utilised for other urgent necessities, he said. There are 16 divisional secretariats in the Matara district and are covered by 14 local authorities. A programme to prevent bites by stray dogs could be launched, successfully through local authorities, Ediriweera said.

OIC of the Prevention Unit of Hydrophobia in Matara District C. G. Weerakoon said a programme has been launched to destroy stray dogs, and also to educate the public on the danger of hydrophobia.

He said during implementing the programme, little co-operation was received from the police and local authorities.

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