Rabies casualty figure 3 more die, 13 since Oct 2014
Source: The Sangai Express
Lamka/Imphal, January 18 2015:
Albeit the best efforts put forward by district officials to control the menace of dog-bite in Churachandpur district through public campaigns, mass vaccination of dogs and free vaccination for those exposed to bites of dogs and other animals, a six-year-old boy who was reportedly bitten by a dog sometime in November last expired early today after spending four days in hospital.
On the other hand, one Ahongshangbam Angousana (13) s/o A Megha of Itham Wangma Leikai of Itham Moirangpurel died today after he was bitten by a dog.
Pauzakam (6) son of Kaikhup of Kashmir Veng, D Phailian was reportedly bitten by their own dog sometime in November.
They then sought traditional treatment using stones to extract the supposed toxin but was taken to the hospital on January 14 after suffering complications.
He reportedly expired early today due to rabies, after leaving the hospital last evening.
It may be noted here that doctors have been asking the people not to seek traditional medicine or any other form of treatment but anti-rabies vaccine if they are exposed to dog-bite but today's incident demonstrated lack of awareness or the misplaced reliance on traditional medicine by
ignorant public.
On the other hand the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur in a message to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary, Health, and other officials concerned has put the number of deaths due to rabies at 13 since October last year.
Apart from Pauzakam, the DC listed the name of a 10 year old boy, Letminthang Haokip of Changpikot village as another victim of rabies.
The boy expired on January 9 following a dog bite in October last year.
The DC further said that a total of four stray dogs have been caught since October last year while the number of anti-rabies administered to patients has been put at 26 today.
The total number of people given anti-rabies shot has been put at 304 since October last year.
The number of dogs vaccinated has been pegged at 3506 since October last year.
Meanwhile, the dog-bite cell set up at the district hospital has attracted a huge number of people seeking vaccination in the past couple of days with over a hundred dose administered while 14 new cases were treated during the same period.
According to a press release issued by MLA Th Shyamkumar, around 10 people belonging to Poiroukhongjin and Andro have died in the recent past after they were bitten by dogs.
Around a month back, one Salam Tombi w/o late S Apabi Singh died due to a dog bite, said the MLA.
He blamed the State Government's negligence and Veterinary Department's failure to administer anti-rabies vaccines for the loss of precious lives due to rabies.
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