KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 28: Although the Naga people are lover of pets, many are believed to be ignorant about vaccination for their pets, especially dogs.
Keeping ‘herd immunity’ a fundamental principle towards elimination of both human and animal rabies, massive dog vaccination programme is being carried out in the entire since last year. However, it was informed that Nagaland has not reached the 70% coverage rate needed for herd immunity.
It was reported that there were 253 cases of animal bites in the state as on 2015, and as many as 166 cases from January to September 2016, whereby two died at NHAK in 2014-15 while an average of 2-3 post exposure prophylaxis are reported in a day.
However with no proper lab facilities available at the moment, and lack data and documentation of the cases, animal bite cases could not be diagnosed and exact number of related cases could not be furnished.
This was informed during the World Rabies Day observed at Zonal Council Hall in Kohima today with the theme ‘Rabies: Educate. Vaccinate. Eradicate’.
The programme was organised by the State Animal Welfare Advisory Board of Nagaland (SAWAB-N) in collaboration with Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) and the department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services.
Delivering the keynote address, Member Secretary of the SAWAB-N, Dr IP Khala attributed lack of coordination between ‘different sectors,’ limited funding, inadequate planning and lack of ‘general awareness’ to be the key contributors to failing to achieve ‘herd immunity’.
Furthermore, he opined that authorities may not be highly motivated to implement dog rabies control due to pressures from competing priorities. In this regard, he has urged upon the participants to start thinking on how to support and get involved in preventing the disease by combating it in animals. ‘Stopping the rabies in dogs is crucial to stopping the rabies in him’ he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary, Animal Husbandary & veterinary Services, S Chuba Longkumer said SAWAB-N under the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is formed for promotion of animal welfare and for protection of animals.
Today’s event, he said will be marked with free anti rabies vaccination of dogs in all the wards in Kohima on different, which will culminate on the ‘World Animal Day’ on October 4. Hence, all the stakeholders were urged to participate in the programme which will safeguard their pets from being subjected to the risk of exposure to the disease.
Stating that KMC’s ongoing Dog Control Programme is an effort to introduce a humane solution for authorities involved in sanitary environment, public safety and animal welfare, KMC Administrator, Kovi Meyase was optimistic that with today’s initiative, a collaborative strategy for effective implementation will begin.
With 2016 marking the 10th anniversary of World Rabies Day, Meyase said this is the right time for creating awareness and education ourselves to be more responsible in our roles as animal owners, particularly with the introduction of the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP).
Through a power presentation, Senior Specialists, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, Dr Pewezo Khalo; Joint Director AH&VS, Dr Simon Ao and State Nodal Officer, Rabies Control, Dr Tiasunep Pongener, MD, Department of Health & Family Welfare spoke on the status of rabies in Nagaland and strategies for control and eradication of rabies in Nagaland.
Some of the strategies include mandatory registration and licensing of all domestic dogs, legislation on control of trade dogs, mass vaccination of dogs like IPPI programme, formation of Animal Welfare Committee in all the villages and towns, establishment of common animal cemetery, public awareness and health education and establishment of state rabies diagnostic laboratory.
The NVSC has recommended mass vaccination campaign, surveillance and monitoring, development of data banks, establishment of sample testing protocol, development of inter-sector and multi-sector coordination, mobilise fund by developing suitable programme and mass awareness campaign.
Today’s programme was chaired by Commissioner & Secretary, Animal Husbandary & Veterinary Services, MK Mero.
