Madurai has been selected as one of ten locations in the country for launching a pilot project aimed at controlling and preventing the spread of rabies.
Mission Rabies will focus on the mass vaccination of 50,000 dogs at “hot spots” across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Orissa, Assam, West Bengal and Rajasthan.
The UK-based World Veterinary Service (WVS), a non-governmental organisation, has deputed an expert team to India to undertake the vaccination drive from September 1, and is providing fund support as well.
World Rabies Day falls on September 28.
World Rabies Day
An all-terrain veterinary hospital truck has been shipped from the UK and is on its way to India. “Mass vaccination against rabies in one go is the best way to control it. We will assist the Madurai Corporation in preventing deaths occurring due to dog bites,” Dr. Appupillai Murugan, Senior Veterinary Coordinator, Mission Rabies, WVS-UK, told The Hindu here on Wednesday.
He said Madurai was selected for the pilot project based on data collected on dog bites, rabies deaths and treatment.
“India accounts for half of the rabies deaths in the world, warranting vaccination of stray dogs on a massive scale,” he added.
At least 10,000 dogs are expected to be vaccinated in Madurai. One dose of rabies vaccine is Rs.150.
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