the goan I network
VASCO
With an average of 100 cases of dog bites recorded at the Sub District Hospital (SDH) in Chicalim every month, serious concerns have been raised over the growing number of dog bites and the stray dog menace in Vasco.
According to sources, the SDH has seen a steady number of dog bite cases each month, even as the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) and Mission Rabies has been working on sterilization of dogs.
SDH health officer Dr Rajendra Borkar confirmed the number of about 100 dog bite cases a month, but said there have been no cases of rabies as yet in recent times. “We are getting an average of 100 dog bite cases each month. Through the government’s initiative of Mission Rabies, we provide all patients with intradermal injections of anti-rabid vaccines. We provide these medicines, not only for dog bites but any canine bite cases.”
“The government is providing us these vaccines free of cost. Moreover, we provide this information to authorities concerned, who in turn, investigate cases wisely and inform us within seven days if the dog is domestic or if it is alive. Accordingly, we adjust our treatment. We are happy to announce that we have had no rabies case in recent times,” said Dr Borkar.
Dr Borkar said rabies is not curable but a preventable disease. “Rabies is a zoonotic disease which is caused by a canine bite (dogs and other animals). If the dog is rabid and has rabies virus in its saliva, it could be transferred to humans killing both, humans and animals within days.”
“In these cases, patients behave abnormally and the first sign is hydrophobia, as patients cannot bare the sight of water or swallow water. These patients get excited on the sight of water and air and have to be isolated. Rabies is not curable but is definitely preventable if vaccines are given on time. There has to be awareness among people that if anyone is bitten by a dog or an animal, they have to rush immediately to a doctor, preferably a government hospital, because vaccines are available and free of cost. We have to give four doses of anti-rabid vaccines,” said Dr Borkar.
