Rabies Free Mission: 1.75 Lakh Stray Dogs In Mumbai To Be Vaccinated

Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has undertaken an ambitious plan — Mission Rabies Free Mumbai.

Of the estimated 2.5 lakh stray dogs in India’s financial capital, BMC’s target is to vaccinate around 1.75 lakh under its Rabies Free programme.

The vaccination campaign started on the eve of World Rabies Day, which is observed on September 28.

Rabies is a viral disease which is often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The central nervous system of mammals is infected, ultimately spreading the disease to the brain and causing death.

Mumbai reported 50,622 dog bite cases in the first eight months of 2022.

“We are focusing on maximum vaccination. BMC staff, some NGOs, animal lovers, and veterinary college students are helping us. This programme will go on till November 9,” said Dr K L Pathan, chief of BMC’s Animal Husbandry department.

BMC will continue with the initiative after the campaign ends.

“We are planning to vaccinate the maximum number of street dogs. Rabies is a deadly disease but is 100 per cent preventable by vaccination,said Dr Pathan, adding that BMC will spend about Rs 50-Rs 60 per shot.

Dogs are usually vaccinated when they are brought for sterilisation. This is the first time BMC is vaccinating dogs separately, informed Dr Pathan.

Vaccinated dogs will be marked and their identification marks uploaded on the GPS-based app, so that there is no problem in finding a vaccinated dog.