Pet Dog and Stray Dog Test Positive for Rabies in Divar, Vaccination Drive Underway

Panaji:

Two dogs in Divar, Tiswadi, have been confirmed to have rabies. The disease was first found in a pet dog and later in a stray dog, causing worry about its spread. To manage the situation, authorities, including Mission Rabies, are taking steps to protect public health and the well-being of other animals in the area.

Murugan Appupillai, the education director of Mission Rabies, mentioned that some animals near Goa’s borders have rabies. He said, “Cases have moved from Bicholim to Divar island.” Appupillai added, “We are addressing the issue and need to find out how the rabies virus reached the island. It might be that someone brought infected dogs here.”

Mission Rabies is conducting a ring-vaccination drive, vaccinating all dogs in the area. They are also running awareness programs for the island’s residents. “Children from four schools in Divar and the local communities are being educated. People have been informed about the rabies cases and advised to take necessary precautions,” Appupillai said. “I believe these actions will help control the situation.”

A senior health officer from the directorate of health services explained that the rabies case in the pet dog was discovered when the owner took the dog to the government veterinary hospital in Tonca, Panaji. “Healthcare workers from the primary health center in Corlim visited the dog owner’s family and vaccinated four family members against rabies,” he said.

The officer assured that there is no widespread concern about dog bites in the area. “We have a sub-health center in Divar that operates under the Corlim primary health center,” he said. “We have instructed it to take preventive measures and provide assistance if needed.”

In September 2023, Goa reported its first human rabies death in over five years when a 20-year-old man from Sattari passed away.