Worst fears come true, dog was rabid

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 24

The brain sample of the dog that bit 11 residents in Sector 15 on Saturday was found positive for rabies in a lab test conducted at the Kasauli-based Central Research Institute (CRI) today.

After receiving the report, MC Commissioner B Purushartha issued directions to doctors and the MC staff to ensure the the victims took treatment properly. A joint team of the UT Animal Husbandry Department, Health Department and the MC will ensure the treatment of the victims and sterilisation of stray dogs in Sector 15.

MC Joint Commissioner Manoj Khatri said the doctors and the MC staff would ensure that the patients go to a hospital or a dispensary for treatment and complete their course. “The victims need not panic as they have been given injections. If any patient is not able to go to a dispensary or a hospital tomorrow, doctors will visit them,” he said. Eight of the 11 patients have been directed to take the anti-rabies vaccine on April 25, May 7 and May 20 at the anti-rabies clinic in Sectors 19 and 38.

Treatment regimen 

• The treatment for a dog/rabid bite involves dosage over 28 days.
• Within the first 24 hours, three injections are to be given. These are tetanus, immuno globulin and anti-rabies vaccine. The first dose of the three injections costs Rs 150 at the civic dispensary.
• The patient is then called for additional four doses of the anti-rabies vaccine after a gap of certain days.

MC to carry out special campaign 

After the test report, the MC will again carry out a special campaign in Sector 15 for catching dogs and their vaccination.