A death of a rabid cow in Khothiline village in Pasakha has sent the residents of Pasakha to Phuentsholing hospital in droves for anti-rabies vaccination.
The rabid cow belonging to a farmer in Khothiline village in Pasakha died on the 19th of this month. Since then the Pasakha residents who have consumed milk and other products from the cow have been rushing to Phuentsholing hospital to get vaccinated against rabies.
“I came to get my children vaccinated against rabies. They have consumed milk from the cow in Khotiline that had died of rabies,” said Surjaman Rai, a local resident, in Pasakha.
Ninety people including children received anti-rabies vaccination today alone. So far the hospital has administered anti-rabies vaccine on 197 people.
This morning the hospital ran out of its anti-rabies vaccine stock and had to get 200 doses of vaccines from the Medical Supply Depot.
Meanwhile, a calf was found dead near Dhoti River Bridge in Phuentsholing last Wednesday. Over in Peljoring village under Sipsoo Geog in Samtse a heifer has died of rabies. The rapid tests conducted at Samtse District Veterinary Laboratory and Satellite Veterinary laboratory in Phuentshoilng confirmed that the animals died of rabies. Further tests carried out at the National Centre for Animal Health in Serbithang, Thimphu also showed the animals died of rabies.
Veterinary and livestock officials say the sporadic rabies outbreak is under control. However, the people in the affected areas are being advised to remain vigilant.
