By Alex Guite
LAMKA, January 8: Since two months back, Churachandpur has witnessed several dog-bite related deaths specially in the town area. As many as five people have died due to rabies infection after being bitten by infected dogs in the Churachandpur town area during the period.
31-years old P Tuankhanlian, son of P Tuankhanpau of Zion Veng New Lamka is the latest victim and died on New Year`™s Eve.
The reason is simple – many dog owners are unaware of the need and importance of vaccinating their pets against virus as the rabies virus, a survey by IFP revealed.
At the same time, the functioning of the veterinary department has also left a lot to be desired.
But the alarming issue at the moment is the ignorance of the pet owners regarding immunisation of their pets. A simple survey of the town area is enough to realize that each house has at least one dog. There are many houses which has up to five dogs.
Sianboi Khuptong, a local resident said he has two German Shepherds and have vaccinated both his pets periodically, while on the other hand another dog owner identified as Pathang said he has two dogs but is unaware of the need to immunise the dogs.
Last month a man from New Lamka died after being bitten by a dog and just a day before him, an infant baby Suamlunmang alias Mangboi son of Kaimuanthang (a district correspondent of an Imphal based daily) of Zion Veng had died in a similar fashion.
Kaimuanthang said following the dog bite, he took his son to a private hospital where the doctor confirmed it to be a rabies case and at the same time that the remedial injection/ medicine is not available in Manipur.
He said he that took his two years and eight months old son to the RIMS where the boy died.
The incident of the young boy losing his life so early due to lack of medicine has left a serious question on the health care facility available not only in the district but in the entire State.
There is much lack of awareness among the people on issue, said a woman.
Kim of New Lamka said the civil societies should come up with a diktat that disallows anyone unable to vaccinate their pets regularly to own dogs.
Although five have lost their lives, there are also many who have been bitten by dogs although they are not infected by rabies.
Unless there is proper intervention from the concerned authorities the issue is like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Now with the DC already issuing an official order in this regard, the people are expecting actions from the authorities.
It may be recall that the deputy commissioner to control the fatality, had issued an order saying that every dog owner in Churachandpur had to vaccinate their pets.
However, the people are unsure of the availability of the vaccine at the government Veterinary hospital and had been procuring the vaccines from private clinics. People are also confining their pets movement inside their residential compounds lest they create problems.
Till the filing of this report there are more than 20 complicated cases of dog bites in New Lamka.
Speaking to the IFP last week, the joint director of Veterinary Dr Rosangrul Kholum said during the past three months, more than 4000 dogs have already been injected.
He said the Veterinary hospital in the district has only five doctors which is insufficient for the district.
On being asked about the public response to the DC`™s notice, he said there has been much increase in the number of owners bringing their pets for vaccination.
He said a rabies infected dog is hard to confirm infection without observing it for at least 10 days or by examining its brain.
He continued dogs from the far flung villages are not properly vaccinated and at the same time they sometimes get infected by wild animals from the nearby forest covers.
Staff of the veterinary department in the district has charged the concerned authorities of neglecting them.
Churachandpur ADC Chairman Langkhanpau Guite said he had at least on three counts asked the concerned authorities to fill the required posts under the ADC including the required doctors of the veterinary department.
Meanwhile, the YPA with its 11 units in New Lamka and the neighbouring area have been rallying along the streets and roads to ensure that the DC`™s order for necessary immunization of dogs is obeyed.
The DC in the meantime has followed up his earlier order by establishing help-lines through the Veterinary department, SP, SDOs, district council and CMO for the public to contact for redressal of dog related injuried.
A veterinary doctor Soma Valte who has opened a clinic along the Tiddim Road said there are several qualified veterinary doctors in Churachandpur, however, the government is yet to recruit any doctor since the past 18 years.