IACIB is acting as coordinator of Bangladesh Anti Rabies Association (BARA) and has observed 3rd World Rabies Day on 28 September 2009. IACIB has planned to work on rabies control by advocacy meeting, Training, IEC campaign, Killing of street dogs, vaccination of pet dogs and sterilization of dog etc. For these activities support is needed. IACIB also participated in international conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Background:
Rabies, a viral disease infects dog, cat, fox, jackal, mongoose, cattle in Bangladesh. It is 100% fatal but equally preventable and most neglected tropical diseases that affect hardcore poor people. More than 85% rabies patients are from rural areas, more than 95% are due to dog bite and mostly children aged between 6-15 years.
According to a report of Infectious Disease Hospital ( IDH), Dhaka, in 2006, more than 2000 die from Rabies and more than 300000 people are animal bitten yearly, though gross under reported.
In Bangladesh only Nerve Tissue vaccine (NTV) was available at government level, which is relatively ineffective with post vaccinal neuro-paralytic effect. In 2006, WHO advised to phase out the NTV replacing by Tissue Culture Vaccine (TCV). It is urgent for the government to take necessary steps to prevent unexpected death from Rabies any more and to take elimination program.