Rabies-Free Bhubaneswar: Mass Dog Vaccination Underway

Bhubaneswar is actively pursuing a rabies-free status through a comprehensive vaccination campaign for its stray dog population. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) aims to vaccinate 40,000 dogs, a figure representing 70-75% of the estimated total dog population, to meet global standards.

The mass vaccination drive commenced on March 30, and as of recently, over 4,855 dogs have been administered anti-rabies vaccines. This effort builds upon previous vaccinations, including those for dogs sterilized under the BMC's animal birth control program over the past eight years.

To ensure the efficacy of the vaccines, blood samples from vaccinated dogs will be sent to Veterinary College in Bengaluru for sero surveillance. This testing will assess the quality of antibodies produced, confirming the vaccination's success. This initiative is part of a tripartite agreement involving the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Worldwide Veterinary Service, and Mission Rabies India.

An interesting observation from the drive is the docility of a significant number of street dogs. Approximately one-third of the dogs caught for vaccination were friendly and did not require nets, allowing for easier handling and vaccination. Each vaccinated dog is marked with a non-toxic biological tag to prevent re-vaccination and track progress. The BMC plans to complete this 90-day drive soon, with additional efforts to vaccinate around 5,000 puppies born after the last census.