NT NETWORK
ASSAGAO/ MAPUSA
Of the 24 rabies cases detected in Bardez in the last three months, nine were detected in Mapusa itself. 2105 stray dogs were vaccinated in the Mapusa town limits, which is less than 70 per cent of the canine population.
As per the information provided by a source at the Mission Rabies at Assagao, 90 per cent of the stray dogs in the vicinity of Mapusa market are vaccinated for rabies.
The state government has plans to make Goa rabies free, and as such under Mission Rabies it has tied up with a UK-based NGO. The mission has as its centre in Assagao.
Project manager for Mission Rabies Goa Julie Corfmat informed this daily that the government has plans to eradicate rabies in state. In 2013, only 5,000 dogs were administered rabies vaccination, she said adding in 2014, 3,800 dogs were vaccinated.
Once the government supported the cause, 56,800 dogs were given rabies vaccination, she said adding in 2016 the number stands at 44,513.
Speaking further, Corfmat said that 22 cases of rabies were defected in Bardez in October, which is very alarming.
In this month itself, we have detected 4 cases of rabies — one each at Thivim, Guirim, Anjuna and Calangute. Last month, a rabid dog was found at the Pilerne industrial estate, she informed.
“A 10-year-old boy was bitten by a rabid dog, and luckily a person involved in creating awareness saved the boy from getting afflicted with rabies. The incident took place at Guirim. The boy who had gone to a shop got bitten by a dog. The boy came home and told his father that a dog has bit him. The father did not believe him and so called the centre on hotline. When our team went and caught the dog it was found to be a positive case and we informed the boy’s father about that and soon the boy was administered the injection,” she added.
The source from the mission informed that rabies is transmitted when a dog bites other dogs, this mostly happens when they fight for food and territorial dominance.
The source informed that 90 per cent of the virus is killed if the wound is washed with soap for 20 minutes and injection is taken immediately, and added that the delay could prove fatal.
“We have volunteers trained to catch dogs. Six vehicles with 6 catchers go on mission to identify and vaccinate the stray dogs. To keep track, the head of the dog is marked with paint.”
The source said “in January, we will be doing the rounds of the beach belt of Calangute. Many cases of dog bites were found in the area as the stray dog population is alarming there.”
“Dogs of good breed, which the foreigners adopt, are left on the street once their owners go back to their countries. These dogs find it difficult to adjust to the local canines. We take care once such a dog is brought to our notice. We have 100 kennels at our centre to take care of the dogs,” the source added.
“We have submitted a proposal to the government and suggested that all dog owners need to be registered. The stray dogs will be inserted with chips under the skin to keep track of them,” the source concluded.