Eradicating rabies

Lanka is on the verge of eradicating rabies and no rabies related deaths have been reported in any part of the country in the last four months, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said today

Minister Sirisena attributed this achievement to the successful solid waste management carried out connected with the dengue prevention and control programmes in the country.

“The dengue control programmes carried out by the Health Ministry with the assistance of the Presidential Task Force on Dengue Control and other government agencies such as the environment, local government and provincial council, and education ministries and armed forces and police have done a great job in solid waste management and the cleaning of townships and road sides. This prevented the breeding of stray dogs, cats, rats and other harmful animals and it also contributed to minimize dog bites,” he added.

Minister Sirisena said if the public, the government and the private sector could maintain this momentum and keep their environment clean and tidy it will immensely help to control not only rabies but other communicable diseases such as dengue, leptospirosis, typhoid and even dysentery.

Meanwhile, Director Rabies Control Programme (RCP), Dr. P.L.Harischandra said 6,93,000 dogs and 53,000 bitches have been sterilized this year.

He said there was a sharp decrease of the number of rabies related deaths this year in comparison to last year.

There were only 36 deaths until the end of November this year and the total number of deaths stood at 58 in 2009. The RCP expects to sterilize 6,93,000 dogs and bitches this year at a cost of Rs. 350 million, Dr. Harischandra said. (Sadun. A . Jayasekara)