WHO Team investigates rabies situation in Manipur

Imphal, Apr 6 (UNI) World Health Organisation(WHO) along with Manipur Health officials are inquiring into the outbreak of rabies in the state.

WHO core member Dr Ashwath Narayan is leading the team.

About 18 deaths were reported in last few days due to rabies, mostly in Thoubal district.

Massive awareness programmes have been launched in the state with dog owners rushing to veterinary hospitals to vaccinate their pets.

Due to huge demand, anti-rabies drugs have disappeared from the market, official sources said.

The Association for Prevention and Control of Rabies in India had also been informed about the matter.

Health officials said the families of the victims were visited and detailed reports taken.

The team is working in Thoubal district where the maximum number of deaths were reported.

Health officials said so far more than 50,000 dogs were vaccinated. Tests conducted at the National Rabies Referral Laboratory at Simla had proved positive which made the state health officials work on a war footing to check the spread of the disease.

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