Manipur Health director Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang on Wednesday announced that the state government is under the process to vaccinate all stray animals that can spread rabies, as an initiative to eliminate rabies from the state.
He made the statement during the observance ceremony of 16th World Rabies Day, 2022 that was held under the theme ‘Rabies: One Health, Zero Death’ at Indian Medical Association (IMA) Hall, Lamphelpat Imphal West.
The programme was organised by National Rabies Control Programme under National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur. Addressing the function as chief guest, Sasheekumar said that rabies is fatal but a preventable viral disease which can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal.
At one time, there were many cases of rabies in the state, but with the increasing awareness on the importance of raising pet animals safely, the number of rabies cases has dropped significantly in Manipur, he said.
However, some cases are still there as two persons died of rabies in the state in the year 2022 itself. Every year, the state received reports of dog bites numbering from 300 to 400 cases.
He further said that the state government is taking up various preventive measures against rabies. They mostly focus on vaccination of pet animals in coordination with the Veterinary department. Besides these, vaccination of stray animals would be taken up soon as there is a high probability of pet animals coming into contact with stray animals.
Besides, they are also planning to provide training to those who are actively providing services for treatment of rabies through traditional means and convert their practices into modern medical treatment systems, he added.
Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services Specialist (RP), Dr Potshangbam Pushparani Devi and state mission director of NHM, Manipur Dr Somorjit Ningombam attended as guest of honour and president respectively.
As a part of the programme, a cycle rally which carried the message of rabies infection and its preventable means was also flagged off.
