Fight Against Rabies
Rabies is probably one of the most feared zoonotic diseases (a disease that is transmitted to humans from animals that is caused by a virus) It is fatal in virtually cent percent of cases, if no treatment is administrated.
Transmission
Dogs & Cats are the main carrier of rabies in India and are responsible for most of the human rabies deaths. Humans most often become infected with rabies through the bite or scratch of an infected dog or cat.
Prevention
Rabies is probably one of the most feared zoonotic diseases (a disease that is transmitted to humans from animals that is caused by a virus) It is fatal in virtually cent percent of cases, if no treatment is administrated.
Transmission
Dogs & Cats are the main carrier of rabies in India and are responsible for most of the human rabies deaths. Humans most often become infected with rabies through the bite or scratch of an infected dog or cat.
Prevention
- Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent rabies in animals, and in humans before and after suspected exposures.
- Vaccination of domestic animals (mostly dogs) and wildlife (such as foxes and raccoons) has led to reduced disease in several developed and developing countries.
- The most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people is by eliminating rabies in dogs through animal vaccinations. A lack of awareness of the effectiveness and feasibility of this prevention approach hinders elimination of human cases. As shown in several countries - such as Japan and Malaysia - elimination of rabies in dogs can result in elimination of transmissions to people and other animals.
- Preventing human rabies through control of domestic dog rabies is a realistic goal.
- Prevention of human rabies must be a community effort involving both veterinary and public health services.
- The future savings of discontinuing post-exposure preventive treatment for people financially justifies rabies elimination efforts that focus on mass vaccinations of dogs.
Controlling rabies in dogs: what to do & what not to do?
SONADI’S ANTI – RABIES CAMPAIGN
In September 2007 Sonadi initiated an Anti-Rabies Campaign in Dwarka, New Delhi. Dwarka was divided into 7 pockets for the purpose this campaign by Sonadi. Between September 2007 and March 2008, Sonadi vaccinated approx. 25-30 homeless and stray dogs of these pockets against rabies per month. The same vaccination was repeated again between September 2008 and March 2009 to the dogs in each of the same pocket as before. This was done with the cooperation of the local residents & Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
ANTI – RABIES CAMPAIGN 2009
On May 30, 2009 Sonadi started its Anti-Rabies Campaign in Nagafgarh area of New Delhi with assistance from Municipal Corporation of Delhi under the able guidance of Dr. Hemant Kaushik, Zonal Veterinary Officer, Najargarh Zone and Delhi Administration.
35 community & homeless dogs of the area were vaccinated against rabies in the camp held on May 30, 2009.
Najafgarh has been divided into 3 divisions and the free rabies vaccination camps will also be held on last Saturdays of June & July, 2009 at other locations to vaccinate the dogs in those areas.
- Dog population management and animal birth control (ABC) program - Killing or removal of dogs alone does not have any significant effect on dog population density or spread of rabies. This may be because of high turnover of dogs and increased survival rate. However, the practical methods of dog population management are movement restriction, habital control and reproduction control, animal birth control programs when conducted in a defined locality covering sizeable population of dogs has shown encouraging results with reduction in size of street dog population.
- Mass canine vaccination campaigns have been the most effective measure for controlling canine rabies. High vaccination coverage can be attained through comprehensive strategies consisting among others of well-designed educational campaigns, intersectoral cooperation, community participation, and local commitment in planning and execution.
- Dogs of all age groups should be immunized. The campaign should be conducted annually. Registration and identification of vaccinated dogs should be done. The use of color tags or plastic collars may be used for identification of vaccinated dogs. This helps in evaluation of vaccination coverage rate and identifies unvaccinated dogs for supplementary follow up measures.
- Vaccination campaigns should be organized by the following mentioned approaches:
- House to house visits
- Fixed vaccination pets
- Temporary vaccination posts set up by mobile teams
- SONADI’S ANTI – RABIES CAMPAIGN
SONADI’S ANTI – RABIES CAMPAIGN
In September 2007 Sonadi initiated an Anti-Rabies Campaign in Dwarka, New Delhi. Dwarka was divided into 7 pockets for the purpose this campaign by Sonadi. Between September 2007 and March 2008, Sonadi vaccinated approx. 25-30 homeless and stray dogs of these pockets against rabies per month. The same vaccination was repeated again between September 2008 and March 2009 to the dogs in each of the same pocket as before. This was done with the cooperation of the local residents & Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
ANTI – RABIES CAMPAIGN 2009
On May 30, 2009 Sonadi started its Anti-Rabies Campaign in Nagafgarh area of New Delhi with assistance from Municipal Corporation of Delhi under the able guidance of Dr. Hemant Kaushik, Zonal Veterinary Officer, Najargarh Zone and Delhi Administration.
35 community & homeless dogs of the area were vaccinated against rabies in the camp held on May 30, 2009.
Najafgarh has been divided into 3 divisions and the free rabies vaccination camps will also be held on last Saturdays of June & July, 2009 at other locations to vaccinate the dogs in those areas.
