Given that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services anticipates conducting assessment studies and a field inspection in the upcoming two weeks, Goa may very likely be the first state in the nation to implement an oral bait vaccination to assist curb the spread of rabies.
Dr. Agostinho Misquita, director of animal husbandry and veterinary services, announced that a delegation from the Union ministry is coming to Goa to discuss the implementation.
At a formal celebration of World Veterinary Day, Misquita stated, “A government of India team is scheduled to arrive in Goa for evaluation, field inspection, and assessment, and shortly we will be heading to the oral bait vaccine.”
With an estimated 59,000 human rabies fatalities each year worldwide, rabies has significant negative effects on public health, society, and the economy. The illness can be eradicated by mass dog vaccination, but this is still difficult to perform since there are so many stray dogs that cannot be caught and vaccinated.
Authorities are currently concentrating on bordering areas in other states in addition to immunization in Goa. However, we are still seeing some cases in the border talukas, according to Dr. Murugan Appupillai, director of Mission Rabies Worldwide Veterinary Service in Goa. “We are immunizing to seal the border and have expanded the project to neighboring states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.”
Source: The Times of India