Once pricked, safe for 20 bites

MCD launches vaccine for humans for protection against rabies

Once pricked, safe for 20 bites

MCD launches vaccine for humans for protection against rabies

Dog lover or not, next time you are flocked by canines don't panic. The strays may not be vaccinated but you needn't get unduly worried about catching rabies. Of course avoiding being bitten should be your first concern. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has introduced a vaccine for humans to prevent contraction of the fatal disease for up to 20 dog bites.

Mutt menace: MCD has sterilised 37,000 stray dogs in Delhi in 2009-2010
to contain the problem. File Pic

The civic body has failed in its numerous attempts to sterilise stray dogs in the city. Hence they have thought about an unusual way to contain the mutt menace. Now people will be encouraged to take preventive medication instead of controlling the litter from strays. According to sources, the veterinary department of MCD has introduced the vaccine called Intradermal which would prevent dog bites from turning fatal.

"MCD has been trying to sterilise stray dogs since many years, but unsuccessfuly. It has now devised a new way to contain dog menace," said a senior official from the Veterinary Department on the condition of anonymity.

The official said the vaccine is immensely effective and it would help people from getting affected. "Earlier the vaccine used to provide protection from only five dog bites, but the new one will be adequate to prevent anyone from contracting rabies even on twenty dog bites," said the official.

The data provided by the civic agency suggests that out of around five lakh dogs in the capital, only 37,000 have been sterilised during 2009-2010. The MCD has 12 anti-rabies vaccination centres in the city. There are also private ones like Abhay Clinic.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 36 per cent of the world's rabies deaths occur in India every year, mostly when children come in contact with infected dogs.

u00a0"MCD is taking effective measures to sterilise stray dogs. The centres developed are efficient enough to look after the vaccination process," said RBS Tyagi, Director, Veterinary services, MCD.

36
Per cent of world rabies deaths occur in India
12
Anti-rabies vaccination centres in the Capital

Quick facts

Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in warm-blooded animals. It is transmitted by bite of an infected animal and at times by other forms of contact. Rabies is almost invariably fatal if post-exposure prophylaxis is not administered prior to the onset of severe symptoms. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort.
According to the data provided by the MCD officials, more than 20,000 people die every year because of rabies in India. Doctors say anti-rabies vaccine should be given to the person within 48 hours of dog bite. Number of vaccine doses following a dog bite has been reduced to just 5 from earlier 15.
Indian Immunologicals Ltd, a Hyderabad based vaccine manufacturing company, is one of the major player to produce anti-rabies vaccines.

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