Over 15,000 people bitten by dogs in Meghalaya in 3 yrs
From Our Correspondent
SHILLONG, April 1 During the past three years, over 15 thousand people have been bitten by dogs in Meghalaya, whereas the Pasture Institute here does not have anti-rabies vaccines.
On an average over five thousand people are annually bitten by dogs in the state. The reported dog-bite cases are showing an increasing trend in the state. Giving the information, Commissioner and Secretary, Health PK Naik said, during 2003-04 there were 5496 cases of dog-bite. The figure jumped to 6354 the following year.
The number of stray dogs in the capital has also reportedly increased. Expressing concern at the increase of stray dog population here, Naik said the urban affairs department and the municipality are together responsible for checking the number of stray dog population.
Recently, the Shillong Municipal Board issued notification to dog owners not to allow their dogs to stray on the street. It also asked dog owners to register their pets with the Board, failing which the Board would treat all such pets as stray and the dogs would be captured.
Meanwhile, Naik said, one person had died due to rabies last year. The Pasture Institute does not have anti-rabies vaccines. The company that supplies the vaccines from Tamil Nadu, has stopped the supply, he said. We are pursuing the matter with the company for resumption of the supply, Naik maintained.
In neighboring state of Manipur, endemic cases of rabies have been reported. Manipur reportedly has the highest number of rabies cases in India. A central team of medical experts has been rushed there to check the spread of the disease.
From Our Correspondent
SHILLONG, April 1 During the past three years, over 15 thousand people have been bitten by dogs in Meghalaya, whereas the Pasture Institute here does not have anti-rabies vaccines.
On an average over five thousand people are annually bitten by dogs in the state. The reported dog-bite cases are showing an increasing trend in the state. Giving the information, Commissioner and Secretary, Health PK Naik said, during 2003-04 there were 5496 cases of dog-bite. The figure jumped to 6354 the following year.
The number of stray dogs in the capital has also reportedly increased. Expressing concern at the increase of stray dog population here, Naik said the urban affairs department and the municipality are together responsible for checking the number of stray dog population.
Recently, the Shillong Municipal Board issued notification to dog owners not to allow their dogs to stray on the street. It also asked dog owners to register their pets with the Board, failing which the Board would treat all such pets as stray and the dogs would be captured.
Meanwhile, Naik said, one person had died due to rabies last year. The Pasture Institute does not have anti-rabies vaccines. The company that supplies the vaccines from Tamil Nadu, has stopped the supply, he said. We are pursuing the matter with the company for resumption of the supply, Naik maintained.
In neighboring state of Manipur, endemic cases of rabies have been reported. Manipur reportedly has the highest number of rabies cases in India. A central team of medical experts has been rushed there to check the spread of the disease.
Umesh Sharma
5121 Lackawanna ST
College Park, MD 20740
1-202-215-4328 [Cell Phone]
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
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