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Lack of knowledge on rabies increases human deaths
By Poojathmi Rivithma
Colombo, August 15 (Daily Mirror) - The lack of knowledge about rabies and the number of incidents relating to bites from animals other than dogs have led to an increase in deaths, Consultant Community Physician Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana said.
He told the Daily Mirror that the health authorities point out that the current rabies situation has now become a serious health and social issue.
Nearly 300 government hospitals are providing free anti-rabies vaccinations, even if it has been three months since an animal bite.
Meanwhile, a total of 11 people have died due to the rabies infection this year.
Dr. Liyanapathirana said that rabies can be transmitted when an animal with rabies bites, from saliva through an existing wound, or if the virus is ingested through the mucous membranes around the eyes, nose, mouth and genitals. Symptoms can appear between three weeks and three months after exposure.
However, in addition to dogs, rabies can also be transmitted by bites of animals such as cats, mongeese, foxes, squirrels, greater bandicoot rats, monkeys, civets, cows and snakes.
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