World Zoonosis Day: Indian Immunologicals organized Free Vaccination Camps for Animals

By Samachar Vishesh News

Chandigarh 08^th July:– Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a leading biologicals company, today organized free Vaccination Camps in over 170 centres across the country. The market leader in veterinary biologicals and one of the largest animals & human health players in India, IIL has been organizing these Vaccination and Rabies awareness camps at Veterinary dispensaries, NGOs and Veterinarians across the country every year on “World Zoonosis Day” which is observed every year on the 6^th of July. Around 50,000 doses of RAKSHARAB (anti-rabies vaccine) produced by IIL was administered free of cost in as many as 20 states and Union Territories through veterinary dispensaries, NGOs etc.

Diseases that transmit from animals to human beings are called Zoonotic diseases and 70% of all emerging diseases that affect humans are zoonotic in nature. In India, occurrence of Rabies is prevalent and accounts for more than 90% of all zoonotic cases reported in the country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates around 1.75 million dog bite cases every year causing around 59,000 deaths worldwide each year with majority of cases (95%) taking place in Africa and Asia. A 2015 study, published in peer-reviewed PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases estimates about 20,800 rabies deaths every year in India - the highest in the world at 36% of total deaths due to rabies.

The economic cost of dog mediated rabies has been estimated to be $ 8.6 billion. The high incidence of rabies in India is due to large uncontrolled stray dog population in India. Stray dogs account for nearly 80% of the canine population in India. There are several reasons for the high incidence including poor vaccination. Prophylaxis through vaccination is the most cost-effective intervention to reduce incidence of disease. Several countries have been able to reduce the number of rabies related human deaths through vaccination of dogs.

On the occasion of World Zoonosis Day, Dr.K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited said that IIL is truly a One Health company, playing a significant role in providing cost effective tools for the control of various zoonotic diseases in the country including the dreaded Rabies. Working with various other stake holders including the common public, IIL is determined to eradicate disease.

Dr. Prasanna Deshpande, Deputy Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited said that IIL wishes to spread the message that preventive vaccination is a proven and cost-effective means to minimize incidence of zoonotic diseases. Effective implementation of Swachh Bharat programme and preventive vaccination would vastly improve the health status of the country.