Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai
Chennai, Nov 21: With 5.25 lac dog bite cases and 28 rabies deaths reported in Tamil Nadu this year, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has urged strict preventive measures, stressing that rabies — though almost always fatal after symptoms appear — is fully preventable with timely action.
Since most human rabies cases in India arise from dog bites, authorities have called on pet owners to follow responsible practices to protect families and communities.
Key measures for pet owners to reduce rabies risk
• Vaccinate pets on schedule:
Ensure dogs and cats receive timely rabies shots and boosters. Keep vaccination certificates handy in both physical and digital form for clinics, travel or boarding.
• Support sterilisation and community dog vaccination:
Public health programmes aim to vaccinate at least 70% of the dog population to break transmission. Citizens are encouraged to join or support local vaccination drives.
• Supervise pets and avoid wildlife contact:
Do not allow pets to roam freely where they might encounter bats, jackals or other wildlife. Children should be taught not to touch unfamiliar animals.
• Microchip and ID-tag pets:
Helps quickly reunite lost pets, speeds decisions on monitoring or quarantine, and assists authorities in assessing vaccination status.
• Teach safe behaviour around animals:
Children should avoid approaching unknown dogs, disturbing eating or sleeping animals, or attempting to break up fights.
• Wash bites and scratches immediately:
Clean the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes and seek medical care promptly for post-exposure vaccination and immunoglobulin if required.
• Monitor pet behaviour closely:
Any sudden aggression, drooling, paralysis or unusual activity should be treated seriously. Isolate the pet and contact a vet or animal control immediately.
Health officials emphasise that rabies prevention requires responsible pet care, community cooperation and swift medical action after exposures.