Rabies Deaths In The Country Has Been Increased During Last Ten Months After Handing Over The Anti Rabies Programme To Vets-Animal Vaccinators

Rabies Deaths in the country has been increased rapidly since last April after handing over the Anti Rabies Programme including vaccinating animals mainly dogs against rabies to Veterinary doctors according to Vaccinator attached to Public Health Veterinary Medical Unit of Healtg Department Lional Ariyawansha.

Addressing a Media Briefing held yesterday (26)in Colombo he has revealed that after the handing over Anti Rabies programme to Veterinary doctors , The Annual Rabies death rate which was controlled to under 18 per annum  risen to 25 during last 10 months since April.

This is due to inproper way of  handling  the Vaccinating programme of Animals against Rabies Mr.Ariyawansha has stressed."up to last April from 1960's Anti Rabies programme of the country has been handled by the PHI's and vaccinators attached to Public Health Veterinary Medical Unit of the Health Department .However someone mislead the former Minister of Public Administration Faizar Musthapah and through a cabinet paper it has been transferred to Vets since last April.During a short period Rabies deaths due to dog bites increased means vets are not able to carryout a proper vaccination programme against Rabies "Ariyawansha has said.

Therefore the Anti Rabies Programme should be transferred back to Public Health Veterinary Medical Unit as soon as possible in view of eliminating Rabies from Sri Lanka  he has further said.