Build a rabies-free Bangladesh: Experts

GAIBANDHA, Mar 17 (BSS): Health experts at a meeting here have underscored the need for building a rabies- free Bangladesh by 2020 through bringing nearly 1.2-1.5 million (12-15 lakh) dogs across the country under mass dog vaccination (MDV) programme.
The experts said over 55,000 people die from rabies worldwide annually, 95 per cent of them in Asian and African countries.
In Bangladesh, 2,000 human deaths occur every year for not taking preventive treatment after dog biting, they said.
The experts made the observations while addressing a briefing session on Implementation of Pilot MDV programme in Gaibandha district in the conference room of civil surgeon (CS) on Monday noon.
Civil surgeon's office arranged the function at the directives of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to brief the common people on the MDV programme to be held from March 22 to 25 in all the seven upazilas of the district.
Prof. Dr. Abul Khayer Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, Director, Disease Control and also Line Director, CDC, DGHS, addressed the briefing session as the chief guest.