PANAJI: With no deaths in humans due to the rabies virus in the last three years, Goa has been declared as a rabies-controlled state.
Mission Rabies, which has been instrumental in eradicating the virus by vaccinating and sterilising dogs since 2015, said that this landmark status makes Goa the first state in India to beat the disease.
In 2014, Goa had reported 17 deaths caused by rabies.
There has also been a sharp decline in the number of dog mediated rabies cases over the years.
“The risk of canine rabies has decreased dramatically in Goa since the state-wide mass dog vaccination drive was initiated since 2015 onwards.
It was out of hard work for the past seven years by doing over five lakh vaccinations and educating over nine lakh children in awareness programmes that this was accomplished,” Mission Rabies said.
They said that locals and the tourists visiting Goa must be made aware about this to help maintain the status of India’s first rabies-controlled state and by continuing vaccinations and awareness on the avoidance and management of dog bites.
They further stated that this status shall “improve animal welfare, reduce the fear of dogs within Goa and promote national and international tourism”.