The Government of Karnataka through the Department of animal husbandry and Veterinary services and the District chapter of the Karnataka Veterinary association Dakshina kannada district celebrated the World Rabies day on 3rd Oct 2015 at Krishi Vijnana Kendra Mangaluru.
Mr. Ajith Kumar Shanadi I. A. S, commissioner of City Municipal council Mangaluru. Inaugurated a free anti rabies vaccination campaign. Dr. K.V. Halagappa Additional Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in Karnataka state and Dr. N.L. Gangadhar Sr. Scientist Zoonosis were the chief guests. More than 100 dogs and cats availed the benefit. Dr. Raghu Ram Bhat, the Deputy Director of Veterinary Polyclinic Mangaluru was in charge of the vaccination programme assisted by a team of Sr. Vets of Dakshina kannada District. The program was held in the premises of the Veterinary polyclinic Jail road, Kodial Bail, Mangaluru. Mr. V.S. Khader Sha, the District information and Publicity officer was present.
The long acting anti Rabies Vaccine “ RABISIN “ was provided free of cost by M/S Boehringer Ingelheim , Mumbai. Karnataka Milk Federation Dakshina kannada District cosponsored the event.
Vaccination program was followed by A Rabies awareness program at Krishi Vijnana Kendra, College of fisheries Sciences campus. More than 150 Veterinary officers of the Dept. of Animal Husbandry and Karnataka Milk Federation of Dakshina Kannada District were present. The event was inaugurated by planting a sapling, signifying “GREEN EARTH “ by Dr. P.. Selva Mani ,Ph. D, I. A. S Chief executive officer of Zilla Panchayat (Executive Development Head of the Province ) Dakshina Kannada District. The event started with the Indian traditional invocation of god by Dr. A. Guru Murthy, Asst. Director , Tech, (H.Q.) Mangaluru. Dr.M.N. Rajanna Asst. Director Animal husbandry and Veterinary services welcomed the gathering and Dr. Jaya Raj, the district deputy Director presented a brief review of Rabies in the District.
Dr. Selva Mani ,Ph. D, I. A. S Chief executive officer of Zilla Panchayat in his inaugural speech, spoke on the responsibility of Vets in safeguarding the health of the society by providing the anti Rabies vaccination to dogs and cats. He particularly remarked that this kind of an important awareness symposium should not have been held in isolation, but should have been conducted involving the Medical and forest departments and the officials of the municipality. He urged the officers to hold one more such event within the next one month and offered his administrative support to make it more useful to the district.
Dr. K.V. Halagappa highlighted on the status of Rabies in Karnataka State. He said that the Global Alliance for Rabies control has been pursuing a mission of “Zero Rabies by 2030” which should be supported by the Veterinary profession and the administration in the interest of human and animal health.
Dr. N.L. Gangadhar, Senior Scientist (Zoonosis) delivered the key note address on the history, , Latest inroads in research on epidemiology, pathogenesis, incubation period and the course of the disease and atypical cases of Rabies and other aspects of the infection. The interaction that followed was very productive with the practicing Vets many of whom were PGs and Ph.Ds in Veterinary sciences , opening up issues they had faced in the course of their practice.
There was a pointed debate on the merits of sub unit vaccines vis-a vis a whole virus inactivated vaccine. Dr. Gangadhar elaborated his views on the comparative merits based on the trials on the glyco-protein vaccine of G 52 pasteur strain, supported by research findings.
Dr. Shiva Prakash , the former dean of the Fisheries science college, Mangaluru also spoke. Dr. Prasanna kumar Hebbar, Asst Director proposed a vote of thanks.
Dr. K.V. Halagappa, Additional director directed all the arrangements,
Event images
