As many as 59 community dogs used by Adivasis of Nilambur forests were vaccinated against rabies at a special camp held at the Mundakkadavu tribal colony, near Karulai, on Thursday.
The vaccination drive conducted by the Humane Society International (HSI) India, in association with the State Animal Husbandry Department, assumed significance in the wake of the devastating floods that ruined several areas in and around Nilambur.
Malappuram was among the 14 locations across the country set aside for mass vaccination programme, marking World Rabies Day being observed on Friday. The HSI has actively been working for vaccination and sterilisation of street dogs across the State for over 18 months.
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HSI community engagement officer Sally Verma said that vaccinating community dogs for the Adivasis would go a long way in strengthening the safety of the community.
She said such drives were held simultaneously in seven different parts of the country. Veterinary surgeon Shivendra Pratap led the eight-member team that visited the Kattunaikar tribal colony at Mundakadavu. They distributed 59 kits for the dogs, each containing a collar, a leash, de-worming tablets, multivitamin syrup, and anti-tic powder.
Animal Husbandry Department veterinarians Shoukath Ali and Shali and Karulai grama panchayat officials joined the camp. Ms. Verma said that almost all dogs, cows, goats, and cats they rescued during the floods had been rehabilitated.
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The HSI team had rescued nearly two dozen dogs from different parts of the district during the floods.
“We were involved in animal rescue at Nambooripetty and Karulai in the Nilambur region,” she said. “Our team had responded to calls from across the State during the floods.”
Rabies deaths
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 36% of human deaths caused by rabies across the world are in India. More than 18,000 people are contracting rabies every year in the country.
“Cases of rabies are unacceptable in today’s India. Through our vaccination campaign, we aim at connecting with communities. Our teams of expert vets, animal welfare officers, and community engagement officers will address people’s questions and concerns, in addition to providing free rabies vaccination for dogs,” said Shikha Jain, HSI community engagement manager.
In memory of Pasteur
World Rabies Day is celebrated across the globe on Friday in commemoration of Louis Pasteur, French microbiologist who developed vaccine for rabies.
“The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the fatal disease, its impact on human beings and animals, and steps that can be taken to prevent its occurrence,” Ms. Jain said.