Expert: Milleniya jackals may have got rabies from dogs

By Ifham Nizam and Norman Palihawadana

The jackals with rabies in Milleniya, Horana must have contracted the disease from dogs, an expert says. Veterinarians would inoculate the dogs in the area, Director -Wildlife at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Tharaka Prasad told The Island.

Dr. Prasad said: “We have found dogs with rabies in the area and the jackals must have contracted rabies from them. We are confident that the vaccination programme could be completed within two weeks. We have ruled out the use of a rabies bait vaccine; bait consists of a sachet containing a rabies vaccine, for the jackals as it would lead to other complications.”

Dr. Prasad said palm cats, mongooses, cats and other mammals were also prone to rabies and anyone bitten by such animals should be treated immediately. The Medical Officer of Health in the area who carrying awareness programme and hospitals staff are also working around the clock,” Dr. Prasad said.

Rabies spreads in two ways, genetic and domestic and once the virus reaches the saliva of an animal, it dies within 10 days, Dr. Prasad said. He added that a four member team headed by him had been to Milleniya on a fact finding mission on Tuesday night.

The people in the area had also been requested to contact the Department via hotline 1992 and 1991 to bring the situation under control.

SSP Sanjaya Irasinghe told The Island that there were around 20 jackals and some of them may be infected.

Policemen and wildlife officers have been deployed in the area to protect the villagers. “Following the death of a girl and a cow after they were bitten by a pack of rabid foxes there, police have deployed teams of policemen to guard the area day and night,” Irasinghe said.

Police have also asked residents not to send their farm animals into the scrub land for grazing.