Shillong, Septr 28: World Rabies Day 2018 was observed today under the global theme – Rabies: Share the Message. Save a life at the Conference Hall, Mawryngkneng C&RD Block. The programme was organised by the Meghalaya Veterinary Services Association (MVSA), East Khasi Hills District Unit. To mark the day, a Vaccination Camp against Rabies and an Awareness Programme on “Zoonotic Importance of Rabies” was also held.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr. B K Dann, State Veterinary Consultant, IDSP informed the gathering that World Rabies Day has been observed annually since 2007 to mark the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
Stating that Rabies is 100 percent preventable but almost impossible to cure, Dr. Dann said that no one should take any incident of dog bit lightly. With cases of dog bit showing a steady increase since 2011, he urged all present to spread the message on Rabies and help achieve the World Health Organisation’s goal of ending human rabies deaths by 2030.
The programme was chaired by Dr. (Mrs). A Laloo, Chairperson, MVSA, East Khasi Hills District Unit. In attendance were members of the MVSA, officials of the Department of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, headmen and members of the Dorbar Shnong and school students.
