Samtse has reported another rabies outbreak in Poongthra village of Denchukha Gewog. The source of the infection is not known yet. The district is addressing the situation by providing medical treatment and carrying out awareness campaigns. This is the second time Samtse reported a rabies outbreak.
The first case was reported from Ugyentse Gewog in August.
The current outbreak is believed to have happened two days ago when an infected dog bit a man from Sertena village in Haa. The Denchukha Primary Healthcare Centre gave the man the TT injection and the first dose of an anti-rabies vaccine.
The infected dog also bit a calf and four other dogs in Poongthra village. Authorities managed to capture the dog yesterday. The dog reportedly showed clear signs of rabies and died a few hours later.
Subsequent sampling also confirmed the presence of the virus in the dog.
Livestock officials believe the dog may have entered Samtse from Haa, the district with which Poongthra village shares a border.
The man, calf, and the four dogs bitten by the infected dog are in normal condition and currently under close monitoring.
Denchukha Gewog in Samtse and Gakiling Gewog in Haa are conducting mass awareness camps to educate the community about the rabies outbreak.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Phub Gyem
