25 January 2005

by Anai Rhoads Ford

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AnaiRhoads.org - The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has launched a rabies vaccination programme for canines in the ravaged area of Sri Lanka.

IFAW's Emergency Relief team is made up of twenty individuals, led by Dr. Ian Robinson. Local veterinarians from Peradeniya University have been helping in two mobile units.

There are more than 2,000 dogs at risk along the miles of coast stretching south from the city of Galle that need treatment according to IFAW. The area itself was one of the worst hit in Sri Lanka, with more than 38,000 perishing in the Tsunami.

"It is crucial to vaccinate as many dogs as possible, because without this programme a major outbreak of rabies is a serious human health risk," said veterinarian Dr. Robinson, Manager of IFAW's Emergency Relief Team.

Already vaccinated dogs are dressed in bright red collars to avoid confusion. The team has managed to treat at least 100 dogs a day, but say the mid-afternoon heat is delaying progress somewhat.

In addition, the team has been treating injured dogs and those who have been drinking sea water or contaminated water. The mobile units have been stopping at refugee camps where they are using megaphones to call on people to bring out their pets for vaccination.

"After the Tsunami disaster the last thing these people need is rabies claiming even more lives. We have already come across one dog with rabies at an air base," added Dr. Robinson.

Many pets were left behind or lost after their owners were killed when the Tsunami hit on 26 December 2004. The country had a stray problem prior to the disaster, which has increased the likelihood of overbreeding and rabies.

IFAW's next project will be to spay and neutering strays. The programme is expected to run for several months.

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