Most rabies deaths in India

STATION MEDICARE Centre at Air Force Station, Bamrauli observed July 6 as ?anti-rabies day?. Since rabies is a fatal disease, public at large and air warriors in particular were educated about the public health problem.

STATION MEDICARE Centre at Air Force Station, Bamrauli observed July 6 as ‘anti-rabies day’. Since rabies is a fatal disease, public at large and air warriors in particular were educated about the public health problem.

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Speaking on the occasion, Wing Commander Sanjeev Sood, senior medical officer of the Air Force Station stated that the Indian subcontinent accounted for 80 per cent of global human deaths and India alone reported about 30,000 deaths per year due to rabies. Medical specialist Dr Sonia Agarwal stated rabies was a fatal viral encephalitis transmitted by dog bite or bite of some infected wild animals. The disease could be eradicated from India through public education, immunisation of pet dogs and appropriate state policy, she added.

Flt Lt (Dr) SN Panda stated children were more susceptible to dog bite since they played with dogs and were exposed to dog bite or licks.

Incidence of dog bite and rabies was low in Armed Forces due to registration and immunisation of all pet dogs and prompt administration of modern vaccines after dog bite. However, air warriors while on leave or staying outside campus and civilians working for services were at risk of exposure to dog bite and rabies virus, she said.

With use of modern vaccines, intra-dermal administration, newer vaccination schedule, public education and national commitment, rabies could be eliminated from India, as it has been from other developed countries, informed SM Sharma, Wing Commander, PRO ministry of Defence in a Press released issued on Friday.