Chief Executive Officer of the Marush (Pvt) Ltd, Dr. Muzammal Hussain Shah presenting the welcome address said “Rabies is one of the most dangerous zoonotic disease due to which one person every ten minutes is dieing through out the world”.

Dr. Zafar Ul Hassan Qurieshi (Research Officer at the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) Lahore) talked about the threatening importance of rabies in animals and the research of VRI on rabies for developing the anti-rabies vaccine for animals. He mentioned outbreak of Rabies Disease in the mule camp of Remount Veterinary & Farm Corps (RVFC) at Batrasi.

Dr. Naseem Salah-Ud-Din (Consultant Infectious Disease, Indus Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi; Member of the WHO panel for Rabies and President of Rabies in Asia (Pakistan Chapter) Foundation) talked about the fatal aspect of rabies for human population. “Such emerging problems need to be jointly solved by the medial and veterinary profession” said Dr. Naseem Salah-Ud-Din. She presented her lecture in detail about the prevention and control of the Rabies diseases in humans. She told the Rabies is 100 % preventable disease; however it is 100 % fatal (Death causing) if not prevented. She mentioned that more than 20,000 humans are died annually in India due to this disease. It is also fatal in Pakistan (However, exact figures are not yet known in this particular regard). She told that how to manage if somebody is bitten by an animal. “Wash the wound with water as maximum as you can, try to remove maximum saliva of the animal you got by wound, don’t use any salt or iodine on the wound, don’t apply any bandage on the wound, don’t suture the wound and contact with the doctor as early as possible” said Dr. Naseem.

Dr. Syed Sardar Ali (Consultant in Emergency Department from the Liaqat National Hospital Karachi) and Dr. Irshad Hussain (Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore) also presented their lectures on Rabies. “Veterinarians are on great risk of the rabies while dealing directly with the animals” said Dr. Irshad Hussain. He emphasized the veterinarians and animal owners to get vaccinated against rabies as early as possible.

Talking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of the UVAS Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz said “Rabies is indeed a threatening disease both for humans as well as for animals. With respect to the zoonotic importance of rabies, the veterinarians are to play a key role for the well being of human population as well.” Talking on the joint ventures of the veterinary and medical professions, Vice Chancellor said that “Strong linkages between veterinary and medical institutes are being build up”. “University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences has recently signed MoU with the King Edward Medical University Lahore for sharing the research and academia between the two institutes” said the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz. He assured that the UVAS will continue its efforts for the well being of the society.

The seminar was attended by the Deans, Directors, faculty members and large number of students of the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore.

Earlier the Vice Chancellor inaugurated “Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination Camp” by injecting vaccine to a dog at the Pet Center of the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore. The camp was arranged by the Marush (Pvt) Ltd (Distributor of Merial International Ltd; leading manufacturer of rabies vaccine all over the world). Under the supervision of Dr. Arif Khan (Officer Incharge, Pet Center UVAS) and Dr. Syed Saleem Ahmad (Incharge Pet Center UVAS) Dogs, Cats and other pet animals were being vaccinated in this camp free of cost. This camp was open whole day for general public to get their animals vaccinated against Rabies.

This move was designed in connection to the “World Rabies Day” previously celebrated on September 8, 2007 all over the world. It is further announced to hold such public awareness events regularly every year on the World Rabies Day. [worldvet]

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