RAJSHAHI, Sept 28, 2024 (BSS) - Veterinary and animal health experts here today called for creating awareness among the public in general on rabies infection to prevent the occurrence of hydrophobia.
 
They also stressed the need to make the dog vaccination campaign a total success to control rabies infection everywhere in the society.
 
Lack of awareness, coordination and requisite information and limitation of logistics have been identified as major challenges towards preventing the diseases. So, there is no alternative to face the existing challenges cooperatively, they unanimously viewed.
 
The Department of Livestock Services (DLS) organised the discussion titled "Means to Prevent Hydrophobia" held at its Metropolitan Livestock Office, marking the World Rabies Day-2024 that was observed in the city as elsewhere in the country today.

Every year, September 28th marks World Rabies Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and accelerating efforts towards rabies elimination.

This year's theme "Breaking Rabies Boundaries" takes center stage, underscoring the urgency to transcend limitations that are hindering our fight against this deadly disease.
 
DLS Divisional Director Dr Abdul Hye Sarker addressed the discussion as chief guest, while District Training Officer Dr Fazlul Haque Sarker, District Veterinary Officer Dr Harunur Rashid and Deputy Director (Veterinary Public Health) Dr Antim Kumar Sarker spoke as special guests with District Livestock Officer Dr Atowar Rahman in the chair.
 
Deputy Chief Epidemiologist Dr Mukhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director of Dairy Development Farm Dr Islmail Haque and Deputy Director of Artificial Breeding Centre Dr Mostofa Kamal also spoke, disseminating their expertise on the issue.

During his keynote presentation, Dr Fazley Rabbi highlighted the aspects of generating awareness among the mass-people about prevention of rabies.
 
He also gave an illustration on the issue saying vaccination can reduce reproduction of dogs to a great extent and break the cycle of rabies transmission.
 
Dr Abdul Hye said various activities like advocacy, communication and social mobilisation, management of dog bite, mass dog vaccination and dog population management are being accomplished from top to bottom.
 
Dog bite management centres are functioning throughout the country in addition to distribution of vaccines, training of physicians and nurses has been accelerated, he added.
 
Earlier, the livestock officials and staff brought out a colourful procession from the office premises and paraded some city streets. A number of representatives from different government and non-government organisations joined the rally.

For the first time in the district, the DLS conducted a daylong vaccination campaign to mitigate rabies and hydrophobia free of cost making the livestock farmers happy.