An anti-rabies vaccination camp, organised by the Veterinary University Training and Research Centre (VUTRC) affiliated to Tamil Nadu University for Veterinary and Animal Sciences (TANUVAS) here on Tuesday, evoked good response.
Nearly 148 dogs in Perambalur Municipal area were brought by their owners to the camp for vaccination . Fifty per cent of the dogs brought to the camp were country breeds. “The first dose of vaccination should be administered when the animal is six weeks old. If the animal is vaccinated on the sixth week, a booster dose should be given at the eighth week. If the animal is vaccinated at the eighth week, then there is no need for a booster dose. After the eighth week, vaccination should be done every year,” said K.Thangaraj, Joint Director of Animal Husbandry.
In India, 97 per cent of rabies infection spread through dogs, two per cent through cats, and one per cent through other carnivores.
The camp is held as a precautionary measure though there were no major cases of rabies in the district, said Mr.Thangaraj. The virus spreads through the saliva of the infected dog or cat . Symptoms will appear after 21 to 80 days after the bite. The virus spreads to brain through nerves, reaches the salivary gland, and comes out of the saliva.
The virus affects the central nerve system, and the infected animal or the human being become rabid. Collector Darez Ahamed inaugurated the camp.