The observation of World Rabies Week 2025 carrying the theme “Act Now: You, Me, Community” concluded today at a programme organized by the office of the District Medical & Health Officer (DM&HO), East Jaintia Hills District at the Conference Hall of Wika Guest House, Khliehriat.
The programme was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Shri S. R Marak, MCS in the presence of District Surveillance Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Dr L. Sungoh, District Veterinary Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Dr M. Lamare, Principal Jaintia Eastern College (JEC), Khliehriat, Dr P. Nongtdu, other health officials, teachers, students and others.
In his address during the programme, Additional Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Shri S. R Marak, MCS expressed his gratitude to the office of the District Medical & Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills District for organizing the programme whose aim is to generate community awareness on Rabies which is a fatal disease that is caused by the bite of either rabies infected dogs (mad dogs) or normal dogs.
Shri Marak, while sharing his personal experience of being bitten by a dog, stated that dog bites have a lasting impact on the human body and underscored the importance of Anti-Rabies Vaccination on dogs even as he urged students gathered at the programme to spread the message to their friends, community members andfamily members on the dangers posed by Rabies and called on them to partake in the efforts of the government to eliminate the disease from the community.
Meanwhile, District Surveillance Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Dr L. Sungoh in his speech said that Rabies is a fatal disease and further stated that individuals who have shown signs and symptoms of the disease hardly survive and emphasized on the importance of following the preventive measures issued by the government even as he further stressed on the importance and functioning of the anti-rabies serum which is an artificial antibody which helps in killing the virus which has infected the body.
Dr Sungoh also highlighted the importance of washing the wound bitten by dogs continuously for at least 15 minutes before visiting the hospital and the need of getting the full dose of vaccination when bitten by animals. Hefurther emphasized that Rabies may infect aperson due to negligence and ignorancebypersons bitten by an animal.
Earlier in the day, in order to generate community awareness on Rabies and the steps needed to be taken when bitten by animals especially dogs, a Public Rally was held inthe localities of Khliehriat. The rally started from the office of the District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO), East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, through NH-6 to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District and back to the office of District Medical & Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills District where it culminated.
During the week-long observation, activities including Drawing, Debate, Skit and Marathon competitionswere conducted for students of educational institutions of East Jaintia Hills District.
In the run up to today’s programme, awareness on Rabies was also caused through Public Announcements in High Risk areas of the district.
Another programme to observe World Rabies Week was organized by the office of the District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Officer, East Jaintia Hills District in collaboration with the Meghalaya Veterinary Services Association (MVSA) Jaintia Hills District Unit during which an Anti-Rabies Vaccination Drive was held at C& RD Block Veterinary Dispensary, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District. The initiative aims to generate community awareness on the importance of collective responsibility of individuals, communities and the government to work together and take action to eliminate Rabies. Vaccination was given to dogs aged 3 months old and above.
It may be mentioned that the theme of this year’s observation of World Rabies Week highlights the One Health Approach recognizing that human, animal and environmental and health are interconnected and that one’s effort can end Rabies for good.
