Urgent Measures Initiated Following Six Fatalities Prompt Concerns About Public Health
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a comprehensive campaign to vaccinate 1.80 lakh stray dogs against rabies within a six-month timeframe, aiming to curb the spread of the deadly disease and achieve a rabies-free status as mandated by the Union government.
The vaccination drive comes in response to six fatalities attributed to rabies within the urban area, underscoring the urgent need for robust public health interventions to combat the outbreak.
In alignment with the directives of the Union government’s National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP), the PMC’s health department has initiated extensive training for all officials of the veterinary and animal husbandry department. These officials will oversee the vaccination of stray dogs under their jurisdiction, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the city.
The NRCP emphasizes the provision of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin through national initiatives, training on appropriate animal bite management, surveillance, and awareness campaigns to prevent and control rabies. With the primary goal of achieving rabies-free status nationwide by 2030, the government has prioritized swift and decisive action to address the public health threat posed by rabies.
In addition to vaccination efforts, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has advocated for the effective implementation of animal birth control rules, focusing on anti-rabies vaccination and neutering of stray dogs to stabilize the population. These measures are integral to the broader framework outlined in the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Rabies (NAPRE) in India, developed with expert inputs from various stakeholders.
Dr. Sarika Phunde, Head of the PMC Veterinary Department, highlighted the mass vaccination and sterilization efforts underway as part of the Rabies-Free City program mandated by the central government. Five organizations have been enlisted to carry out vaccination and sterilization activities, signaling a concerted effort to combat rabies and safeguard public health.
As Pune intensifies its efforts to eliminate rabies and protect its residents from the deadly disease, collaboration between government agencies, community organizations, and veterinary professionals becomes crucial in achieving the shared goal of a rabies-free city.
