Chikkamagaluru is one of the topmost coffee growing districts of India. It has a complex geo-physical feature, that most of it is in hilly and forest area. Both human and animal population are more vulnerable to rabies endemically,
With this background a hurriedly organized seminar on rabies was organized to mark the celebration of WORLD RABIES DAY by Dr. Mohan Kumar the district -in charge deputy director of animal husbandry, Chikkamagaluru district in the auditorium of Little angels’ paradise nursing college, on 27th September 2023 at Chikkamagaluru city.
The seminar was inaugurated by Mr. Gopalakrishna I .A.S , the head of the District panchayat (Zilla Panchayat). Mrs. Nalina D’sa principal of Little angels’ paradise nursing college and head of the SPCA animal care trust Chikkamagaluru presided. About 150 senior veterinary officers, chief officers, number of nursing students and members of the public attended the seminar.
Dr. Nidaghatta Gangadhar Senior Scientist (Zoonosis) Bengaluru rendered the key note address on Rabies. The infective potential of the rabies virus, vulnerability of human and animal population to wild life attack and risk of rabies infection particularly in the bordering areas of forest in the district was in focus . Vaccination schedules, preventive steps against rabies was widely dealt in the talk besides other aspects of its epidemiology.
The role of Global Alliance for Rabies control (GARC) in eliminating global human rabies deaths by 2030 came in for sharp praise. The Logo in KANNADA language allotted by GARC at the request of Dr. Nidaghatta Gangadhar was applauded by the audience. The lively question and answer session was marked by several members of the public raising fears of rabies infection in their daily routines.
Mr. Dattatri, a coffee planter enquired about choice of rabies vaccines and the duration of immunity they produced. He also raised concerns about the high cost of rabies vaccines in the market.