High cost of rabies control

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Rabies has affected many animals in Sri Lanka during the past six months and the total number of animals found positive for rabies is 205.

The majority (172) of them were dogs and there were 28 cats among them, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said.

A cow, a pig, a goat, a fox and a polecat were also found to be infected. The number of people affected by rabies during the past six months is 28.

In 2008 there were 51 rabies victims in Sri Lanka. The number of dog bites reported from Sri Lanka per day is 2000 and one injection (Human Immiuno Golbine) used to treat a patient with dog bite costs the Ministry Rs.39,000. The Ministry spends Rs.500 million per year only for dog bite treatment.

According to the spokesman the Treasury allocated Rs.100 million for the ministry’s rabies control program in 2008 and this year the amount has been increased up to Rs.200 million. The Ministry spends Rs.5000 to sterilize one dog.

In 2008 the number of dogs vaccinated was 208,691 and during the past six months 299,572 dogs have been vaccinated.

270,286 domestic dogs and 29,249 stray dogs were among them.

Officials have been asked to complete vaccination and sterilize all dogs in one area/province and move to another province in order to cover the entire dog population.

At the moment the program covers parts of different areas. It has been found that majority of dog owners do not sterilize their dogs increasing the dog population.