Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Sept 28, 2025 (BSS) - Integrated efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned can be the crucial means of preventing the occurrence of hydrophobia through creating awareness among the public in general on rabies infection.

Simultaneously, utmost emphasis should be given on making the dog vaccination campaign a total success to control rabies infection everywhere in the society.

Lack of awareness, coordination and requisite information and limitation of logistics have been identified as major challenges towards preventing the diseases. So, there is no alternative to face the existing challenges collectively.
 
Veterinary and animal health experts made the observation while addressing a discussion organised by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) held at its Metropolitan Livestock Office to mark the World Hydrophobia Day 2025 here today.

Every year, September 28th marks World Rabies Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and accelerating efforts towards rabies elimination.

The main theme for the Day this year "Act Now: You, Me, Community" emphasizes the shared responsibility of individuals, communities, and governing bodies in working together to eliminate rabies and ensure rabies-free communities.

 It encourages collective action, such as dog vaccination, community education, and responsible pet ownership, to prevent the transmission of this preventable disease. 
 
Civil Surgeon Dr SIM Raziul Karim and Chief Health Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation Dr FAM Anjuman Ara Begum addressed the discussion as chief and special guests respectively with District Livestock Officer Dr Atoar Rahman in the chair.

During his keynote presentation, Prof SM Kamruzzaman from the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Rajshahi University highlighted the aspects of generating awareness among the mass-people about prevention of rabies.

He also gave an illustration on the issue saying vaccination can reduce reproduction of dogs to a great extent and break the cycle of rabies 
transmission.
 
He said various activities like advocacy, communication and social mobilisation, management of dog bite, mass dog vaccination and dog population management are being accomplished from top to bottom.
 
Civil Surgeon Dr Raziul Karim said dog bite management centres are functioning throughout the country in addition to distribution of vaccines, 
training of physicians and nurses has been accelerated.

He also highlighted the role of individuals and communities in driving change and taking responsibility for rabies prevention. 

Acknowledging the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, requires integrated solutions.
 
Earlier, the livestock officials, staff, students and farmers brought out a colourful procession from the office premises and paraded some city streets. 

A number of representatives from different government and non-government organisations joined the rally.
 
On the occasion, the DLS conducted a daylong vaccination campaign to mitigate rabies and hydrophobia free of cost making the livestock farmers happy.