World Rabies Day is observed on 28^th of September every year. As a part of it, the Department of Community Medicine, Medical College, Kottayam organized a series of programmes. The events scheduled were as follows:

9.30 am – 10.00 a m.

The event commenced with a silent Rally following the Flag Off by Dr. Manjula V.D, Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine. The Rally Team comprised of first year under-graduate students (M.B.B.S) and Faculty members of the Community Medicine Department.

The Rally Team started from the Dept. and walked towards the main road around the Medical College Hospital without creating any disturbance to the public. They then tracked along the Casualty inside the Hospital campus, completing the rally at the same point. The one time event took around half an hour. The participants were provided with white T-Shirts and white Caps depicting the logo of ‘World Rabies Day – 2010’. They were also holding banners and placards depicting the purpose of the Rally.

10..00 am – 1 pm.

As the next event, a scientific session on “Recent Advances in Prevention of Rabies” was organized by Dept. of Community Medicine to train and sensitize the Medical Officers of the CHCs and Taluk Hospitals in Kottayam district. The following doctors attended the training session:

1.      Dr. Arun M., GH Kadaplamattom

2.      Dr. Athmanandan G.S., CHC Thalayolaparambu

3.      Dr. Renju S.V., PHC Mundankunnu

4.      Dr. John R., PHC Athirampuzha

5.      Dr. Ann Joseph, CHC Kuravilangad

6.      Dr. Alice P.P., CHC Kumarakom

7.      Dr. Sudha A., CHC Ramapuram

The inauguration ceremony started with a prayer. Dr. Jose Joseph presided over the meeting. The scientific session was inaugurated by Dr. Meharunnisa A., Principal, Medical College, Kottayam and the message of the day was delivered by Dr. Balakrishnan , Superintendent, Medical College, Kottayam.

The Scientific session consisted of 3 topics.

–> First topic was on ‘Rabies – An Overview’ by Dr. Jose Joseph, Professor & Head, Dept of Community Medicine.  The session covered the introductory & epidemiology part of Rabies.

–> Second session was on Intradermal Rabies Vaccination (IDRV) by Dr. Manjula V.D., Associate Professor of Community Medicine. She covered the important aspects like dosage, administration, storage and types of IDRV vaccines.

–> The third session was on ‘Profile of IDRV in Preventive Clinic’ by Dr. Anitha Bhaskar, Assistant Professor in Community Medicine. The session provided details of the current status of animal bite cases attending the preventive clinic of MCH, Kottayam for both active & passive immunization.

The audience actively participated in the doubt clearing session. The programme concluded with lunch served at the Dept premises.

Following this, a meeting was organized at Biochemistry hall

Welcome                                             – Dr. Rohit, Chairperson

‘ World Rabies Day’ Importance        – Dr, Sreedevi, Vice Principal

Presidential address                            – Dr. A Sobha, HOD, Community Medicine

5 key messages                                    -Dr.Sairu, Associate Professor, Community

Medicine

IDRV & relevance of the day                        – Dr. Mohammed Asheel, Consultant, SDCMC

Vote of thanks                                    – Dr. Nahaz, Secretary, Students Union

Another meeting was convenced at Komana, Bharath granth shala along with Urban Health Training Centre. 125 Volunteers, Kudumbasree, ASHA workers, Panchayat members participated in the programme. The classes on Rabies and IDRV were taken by Dr. A Sobha, HOD in Community Medicine & Dr. karthika, Assistant Professor in Community Medicine. A questionnaire regarding rabies awareness were taken from the participants before the session. Dr. Carol Pinheiro conducted a Continuing Education for 150 Medical students on Rabies Epidemiology & Control.

The day witnessed the celebrations of World Rabies Day. On the occasion Dr. C.S.Agarwal, Central Director, Private Medical Practioners’ association of India, inaugurated the celebrations at P.M.P. Bhawan, Janta Colony, stated that out of the death toll of 55,000 people due to Dog bites worldwide, 31,000 victims belong to Asia. In India alone, around 20,000 people are victimized of the fatal dog bites. According to WHO, out of the total deaths due to animal bites, 96.3 % deaths are due to Dog bites. Across the world, this day is taken as “Rabies Day”.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. C.S.Agarwal, who is also the life member of ‘Association for prevention & Control of Rabies in India, Bangalore, expressed that the Dog bites are 100% fatal, in case the victim is unable to avail the anti-rabies vaccination.He added that, he regrets the unawareness of not only the rural parts of the country or the community who cannot afford the expensive life saving vaccine, but also the people from the urban areas who tend to be ignorant of such circumstances and practice home remedies on fatal dog bites by applying Chilies or chunna paste. Rather, they should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and try to get immediate medical attention.

Continuing the foreword, Shri Lalit Goyal, explained the gathering regarding the anti vaccine dosage, as specified by WHO. He stated that in order to get the best result out of the anti rabies vaccine, one should avail the treatment in a proper cycle, that is the first vaccine should be on the day of the dog bite itself, the second on the 2^nd day of the bite, 3^rd on the 7^th day, 4th on the 14^th day, the 5^th one of the 28^th day and finally the 6^th on 90^th day of the dog bite.

All the doctors present for the occasion were appealed by Shri.Sanjay Saraswat, that it is the duty of the doctors to spread a word of awareness in this regard. General people should inform the municipalities, if they spot stray dogs in their localities.

Chief Secretary of P.M. P. Dr G.S. Purohit initiated a word of thanks to the doctors present on the occasion and adjournment of the gathering.

The activities caried out by the members of APCRI at Berhampur, Orissa. A Street play on “prevention
and management of animal bite “was conducted in the market place of
Berhampur (Komapalli) by the help of a group. The Joint Secretary of
APCRI addressed the gathering regarding early reporting and
availability of vaccine & immunoglobulin, he also emphasised on local
wound cleaning and informed the press to highlight these issues for
prevention of rabies by different print and electronic media. The other
members present were Dr Tapas Ranjan Behera & Mr H H Mahapatra. All
these activities were co-ordinated with support from Human Biologicals,
Sanofi Pastuer, Medlife & Ranbaxy. This event was for a period of one
hour from 9-30 o 10-30 AM where more than 100-150 persons attended. At
last Dr D M Satapathy offered vote of thanks to the public and press.
Simiilarly news paper inserts with message on prevention of rabies had
also been distributed in Berhampur,Jeypore & Parlakhemundi.

The following activities have been carried out by the department of community medicine of MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa.

1) A CME was conducted among the General Physicians of Berhampur town on treatment of animal bite where Dr RMTripathy, Prof. & HOD of Community Medicine chaired the session and Dr DMSatapathy was the speaker. 35 GPs attended the CME. This CME was organized by Sanofi pasteur.

2) Another CME was held at Rayagada district in june 2010. This CME was organised by the IMA Rayagada branch with the help of sanofi pasteur. The speakers were Dr DMSatapathy and Dr TRBehera. 25 Doctors participated in this CME.

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