|
Rabies has
claimed 24 lives in Sri Lanka
from January up to August 2008 end |
The disease
brings imminent death if immediate medical attention is not
sought.
Rabies is caused by a virus which is a micro-organism and grows
inside a living cell which attacks the central nervous system
after entering the body through a bite by a mad dog.
When animals (mammals) are sick with rabies their personality
changes. A dog with rabies may want to bite anyone who confronts
it.
Apart from dogs, cats, foxes, bats, mongoose and bandicoots are considered
carriers of the rabies virus.
To prevent rabies the vaccination of house pets are of utmost
importance. Wash the wound well with soap for about 10 minutes,
and consult a doctor even though the bite is small. |
Deadly scratch
K.A. Perera Wadduwa Special corr.
A 13-year-old Samanera died of hydrophobia after his pet cat which
had rabies, scratched him.
The pet cat had been bitten by a rabid dog, sources said. Ven.
Dodangoda Dhammajitha Thera of Samudraramaya Temple, Wadduwa had fainted
in the temple and admitted to the Panadura Base Hospital where he passed
away, sources said.
The thera was a student of Mihindu Maha Pirivena, Wadduwa and also a
student of Ven. Bopitiye Dhammissara Thera, the Sangha Nayaka of Raigam
and Talpiti Korales. The funeral takes place today. |
