Noida: There are 16 such places in Noida, where dogs are biting people the most. After a three-month survey, the Health Department has identified 16 such ‘hotspots’. The highest number of dog bites have been recorded at these 16 places.
So, officials are planning a massive campaign by the end of this month, which may include sterilization of dogs and raising awareness about the importance of anti-rabies and immunoglobulin vaccination. This campaign is part of the National Rabies Control Programme.
A TOI report says the health department is preparing to mobilize resources for the special drive, for which it will spend Rs 80,000. A health department official said, ‘This campaign is in response to the increasing disputes between dog owners and other residents following cases of animal bites in the area. We are still yet to prepare our plan in detail.
According to the report, in the first three months of this year, 37,864 dog bite cases were recorded in the city, with the highest number of cases (14,262) being recorded in February.
The officer further said, “Last month, around 11,000 cases of dog bites were reported across the city. “The 16 hotspots identified in the survey include Bhangel, Sectors 130 and 45, JJ Colony and Khoda.”
He said that residents of these areas will be taught the importance of vaccination in awareness programs. When dog saliva comes in contact with human skin, it is necessary to administer anti-rabies injection. In cases of deep injury or mucous membrane contamination, doctors administer RIG infiltration along with anti-rabies vaccine.
“The survey of health centers helped us identify these high-risk areas, making targeted intervention efforts possible,” he said. He said that the increase in cases of bites is not only from stray dogs but also from domestic animals.
In 2023, most of the 1.2 lakh cases of animal bites (over 1.1 lakh) were due to dog bites, which included monkeys, cats and other animals.
Highlighting the seasonal fluctuations, the health official said that generally there is an increase in dog bite cases during the summer and monsoon months, especially from July to October.
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FIRST PUBLISHED: April 5, 2024, 10:16 IST