Further proof (if any were needed) that TNR works

[Guest guest]

RABIES CASES IN CHENNAI (MADRAS) AT ALL TIME LOW

 

Latest figures made available by the Chennai Corporation shows that there were only five cases of human deaths from rabies in 2003, down from 16 in 2002 and far, far below the 120 deaths in 1996 when the Chennai Corporation totally stopped the killing of street dogs (which used to be as many as 135 dogs per day) and allowed Animal Birth Control (TNR) to be taken up on a city-wide basis by the Blue Cross of India and PfA.

 

However, even one death from rabies is unacceptable when we have the means to prevent it completely.

 

The latest WHO-sponsored multi-centric study of the incidence of rabies in India shows that there were a little over 17,000 deaths from rabies in India in 2002. More importantly, it indicates that the annual incidence of rabies during the period 1992 to 2002 was at about the same figure. However, where ever there has been a systematic animal birth control (ABC) programme - which includes catching the dog, spaying/neutering, administration of an anti-rabies vaccine and returning the animal to the same spot from which it was picked up - the cases of rabies have plummetted.

 

In Jaipur, from an average of 8.75 deaths per year for the five years preceeding 1996 - when ABC was taken up by Help In Suffering - the figures showed a decline with no rabies cases since 2001. In Kaliopong, West Bengal, from 10 deaths in 2000 when ABC was taken up, there have been no deaths for over two years. And in Chennai, from 120 deaths in 1996 when ABC started on a city-wide basis, the figures have been declining rapidly with 16 deaths in 2002 and five in 2003. While considering the Chennai figures, It must be borne in mind that awareness levels are much higher today than in 1996 and a much greater percentage of cases are reported today. Equally importantly, the population of ChennaI has increased greatly in the last seven years both as city boundaries expand as well as due to migration from rural areas.

 

The not un-common sight eight years ago of two mating dogs is almost never seen in Chennai today, nor can one see a group of emaciated dogs around every garbage bin any more. There are far less dogs and those that are around are generally healthy. Over 80% of the street dogs have notched right ears indicating that they have been spayed and vaccinated. Even the perception of a stray dog "menace" is hardly ever heard today.

 

For full details and figures, e-mail drkrishna

and visit www.bluecross.org.in for the ABC Rules of the Government of India and the article: Rabies - the real story.

 

S. Chinny Krishna

Chairman

Blue Cross of India

Chennai