- CMC determined to eradicate rabies
By Dilanthi Jayamanne
The Veterinary Department of the Colombo Municipal Council was determined to eliminate rabies from Colombo in three years. Chief Veterinarian of the CMC, Dr. S. D. Illeperuma,. told a media briefing on Tuesday (20), to announce the CMC’s programme for World Rabies Day on Sunday (25).
He said that with the widespread sterilization and vaccination of dogs the number of rabid dogs in the city had decreased within the last few years.
The rabid dog population in the city, in 2001/2002 had been about eighty dogs. At that time the local government bodies had the responsibility of ridding the streets of stray dogs. It was sanctioned by law as well. However with the change of government the policy also changed despite the still existing law to kill stray dogs. The government had introduced a more humane method calling on all local bodies to sterilize and vaccinate stray dogs instead of killing them, Dr. Illeperuma said.
The Chief City Vet said they had initiated the sterilization and vaccination programme in collaboration with Blue Paw Trust (BPT) an NGO, in 2006 to control the stray dog population in the city and ensure the dogs are not carriers of the disease. There were approximately 5,000 stray dogs in the city and in 40-45 of them were rabies infected. Last year there were 10 rabies infected dogs in the city while by August this year there were only 4 dogs with rabies in the city.
They hoped to eradicate rabies from the city by 2014 - two years prior to the Health Ministry target, Dr. Illeperuma said.
Two people had died of rabies so far this year in the city. However one of them had been bitten while he was out of the city. Rabies can be treated with prompt action on the part of the victim or his family. Mostly alcoholics get bitten by dogs carrying the rabies virus. They don’t seek immediate treatment - and don’t even realize the gravity of the situation until it’s too late. And subsequently succumb to the disease, he said.
The total stray dog population in the city is approximately five thousand. The Department and BPT have been able to sterilize 5,400 by July this year. He said that owners had brought in their domestic animals for sterilization as well.
The Council in collaboration with the BPT had also carried out several awareness programmes for school children and community.
Rabies is an NCD but can be cured if timely action is taken. However, animal owners have to act with responsibility.
The Council in collaboration with BPT will host the annual dog show – ‘The ‘Bouwwa Show,’ on Sunday (25) at the Viharamahadevi Park at 10.00 a.m. Entrance is free. The ‘Bouwwa Show,’ will portray the antics of the Sri Lankan variety of dog - the domesticated stray dogs. "They have been waiting for their opportunity on the sidelines for many years while the pedigree counterparts are promoted, External Liaison Manager, Dr. Ganga de Silva said with much enthusiasm. The Sri Lankan ‘Bouwwa’s make good pets easy to have in any household, intelligent and trainable. They are also strong and don’t fall sick easily.
The show will include a fancy dress parade for dogs, a performance by circus trained dogs, training tips, a competition where dogs will be judged on their various qualities such as the length of their tail, their eyes and the quality of their skin, she added.
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