Madikeri: All efforts should be made to make India a rabies-free country, speakers at a "free anti-rabies vaccination camp" here said on Sunday.

Lt. Gen. B.C. Nanda (retd.) pointed out that many European nations have become rabies free, thanks to the preventive measures adopted by them.

`Relief to many'

Gen. Nanda said that keeping pets at homes provided relief from the monotonous routine. Himself an animal lover, he recalled an incident in which a dog had saved the life of a victim of tsunami last year.

Organising programmes such as this would increase awareness among people to keep not only their pets well, but also themselves, he pointed out.

B.C. Ramakrishna of the Karuna Welfare Association of Karnataka, Bangalore, who provided the anti-rabies vaccine to the camp, said Andaman and Nicobar Islands had become rabies-free and similar efforts are required in the mainland.

Dr. Ramakrishna said rabies can spread from not only dogs but from any animal affected by rabies virus.

Dogs vaccinated

Over 100 dogs received free anti-rabies vaccination at the camp.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, K.Sundar Naik, spoke.

According to M.T. Manjunath, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Kodagu, who presided over the function, over 3,000 people died of rabies and more than a million underwent post-exposure treatment in the country annually.

Increase in cases

Increase in the population and absence of comprehensive vaccination against the disease have contributed to the increase in cases of rabies.

Following dog bite, symptoms can appear after a lapse of six hours to several years in human beings.

Incubation period

In 70 per cent of the cases, incubation period is less than a month. In dogs, the period ranges from 15 to 50 days. Prevention by way of mass vaccination is the only way the fatal disease can be tackled, he said.

The vaccination camp was organised jointly by the Pet Practitioners Association of Karnataka, Bangalore, Kodagu Kennel Club, Polibetta, and Karnataka Veterinary Association, Kodagu district branch.

Principal of the Government Junior College, Rekha Kalaiah, was present.

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