Rs 500m annually to treat dog bites

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Should seek immediate treatment n About 2,000 dog bites reported daily n Plans to eradicate rabies by 2016

The World Anti-Rabies Day falls today. The national ceremony to mark this day will be held at the Polonnaruwa Buddhi Mandapaya at 9.00 am with Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s participation. Sri Lanka has planned to eradicate rabies by 2016, Health Ministry spokesman W. M. D. Vanninayake said. According to Vanninayake the Health Ministry has already formulated plans to eradicate rabies from Sri Lanka by 2016.

He said the Minister pointed out the importance of seeking medical treatment immediately following dog bites to prevent rabies. There are three million dogs in Sri Lanka and 2,000 dog bites reported from all parts of the country every day. The Government spends Rs. 500 million annually only to treat dog bites. The Government has banned the killing of dogs to control the stray dog population.

Therefore the ministry implements sterilization programmes to control the stray dog population, he said. The National Rabies Control Program has provided 152,524 vials of anti rabies vaccines by June 30 this year and it has also provided 38,477 vials of anti serum. Anti serum should be given initially to all persons with animal bites.