Image used for representation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid a rise in dog bites across the country, the Union government has directed states to maintain separate records for dog bites of domestic animals and stray dog bites. The move is aimed at strengthening the rabies surveillance system and achieving the goal of making India a rabies-free country by 2030, according to the order issued on March 7 by the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Center has asked the state health authorities to provide quality data on the number of animal bites from all primary health centres, community health centres, district level hospitals and tertiary care facilities with specific details about pet dog bites and stray dogs. Separate records should be maintained for new and follow-up patients in the animal bite exposure registry.
Welcoming the decision, Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchu Rani said keeping the distinctive data on pet dog bites and stray dog bites is a good thing.
“Incidents of animal bites recorded inaccurately”
“We have data on the population of stray dogs and domestic dogs in the state. The state has already taken many measures for the welfare of animals, especially dogs. We are developing measures to strengthen the parentage of animals pets, by imposing pet licensing,” said Chinchu Rani.
The direction comes in the wake of a letter written by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to the National Center for Disease Control, urging a direction to all hospitals and medical institutions to register cases of distinctive dog bites. The AWBI highlighted that clear reporting will help create a comprehensive understanding of dog bite incidents.
Animal rights activist MN Jayachandran, a former member of the state animal welfare board, said incidents of animal bites were inaccurately recorded.
“There is no specific detail since all bite and scratch incidents involving cats are recorded as dog bite incidents, which is incorrect. The distinctive registration of bite incidents will help identify the potential areas where the street dog population may be more concentrated,” Jayachandran said.
Advantages of separate records on dog bites
-
It will help formulate targeted interventions such as vaccination campaigns, public awareness programs
-
Understanding the source of dog bites will help identify potential areas where the street dog population is high. This can help implement targeted sterilization and vaccination
-
It will help to avoid misinformation surrounding dog bite incidents
I appreciate the clarity and thoughtfulness you bring to your writing.
Your expertise is a valuable resource.