Elderly and children at higher risk as authorities push for rabies elimination

Colombo, Feb. 5 (Daily Mirror) - The elderly and children remain at higher risk of rabies in Sri Lanka, and the country’s rabies elimination programme must be implemented in line with international standards, Director of the Department of Animal Production and Health Dr. Pradeep Lakpriya Kumarawadu said.

Addressing the media, Dr. Kumarawadu announced that a two-week emergency programme will be conducted with the support of the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Mission Rabies international organisation based in England.

He said the programme will focus on training in administering rabies vaccines to animals, methods of capturing animals safely, managing free-roaming animals, and raising public awareness on rabies prevention.

Highlighting progress made over the decades, Dr. Kumarawadu noted that in the 1970s more than 350 people died annually from rabies, but due to improved vaccination programmes, new technologies, and advancements in the health sector, fewer than 10 rabies-related deaths were reported last year.

He emphasized that achieving zero human deaths from rabies requires a coordinated effort under the One Health concept, involving the Department of Animal Production and Health, the Ministry of Health, Provincial Councils, non-governmental and volunteer organisations, the Police, and other state institutions.