Vaccination campaign against Canine Distemper organised in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 16 March: The Animal Husbandry, LF & VS Department, West District organized a vaccination campaign against Canine Distemper (Parainfluenza-Parvo virus Vaccine, Modified Live virus Leptospira canicola, Ictero haemorrhagiae Bacterin). The main objective behind the program was to stop the further spread of the disease in the locality by inoculation of live and attenuated virus.
A press release issued by Programme Coordinator, SARAH Division, Dept.of AH, LF &VS, Dr Thinlay N Bhutia informs that this type of ring vaccination may provoke the immune system of a vaccinated dog by forming antibodies with high intensity to fight against the disease invitro in future and a booster dose has to be done every year to maintain immunity in such dogs. This vaccine protects dogs against four viral diseases as mentioned above and cost of single dose is Rs.800.
The program started in the morning from the District Veterinary Hospital Gyalshing. Central Veterinary Store at Gangtok headquarter of AH Deptt. had provided 200 doses of the vaccine. From this stock, 52 dogs were vaccinated on 14 March and on 15 March sixty dogs were vaccinated. There is high demand for this vaccine now so 500 doses of this kind of vaccine is immediately required, the release informs.
Later in the evening there was a meeting for coming up with a strategy with regard to the future course of action to counteract such viral disease of extremely infectious nature. On the very outset of the session Dr DS Tewari drew the attention of the people by explaining about the epidemiological aspect of viral diseases.
Human beings, utensils, vehicles and even air, water and soil may transmit such diseases and Canine distemper now is one such example in the vicinity, he informed.
So isolation of dogs, keeping them in strict captivity, intensive care, maintenance of hygiene and sanitation of the dog house along with restriction of movement of populace to and from infected zones along with regular vaccination of all prevalent diseases is the only way to contain such diseases, he added.
Supporting these points Dr. S.P Bhutia informed the house regarding the out break of this disease in the area of tourist importance like Pelling, Yuksom, and Dentam and Ravangla in South Sikkim. He suggested to all dog owners to wash hands with strong antiseptic solution after handling their pets, the release mentions.
He also drew the attention of the Department, regarding need for supply of vaccines as the present stock is very poor. After this Dr Kishor Thapa suggested to all dogs owner to bring their dogs to DVH Gyalshing for vaccination. He also highlighted the urgent need for a Mobile Van (Vehicle) in Gyalshing Hospital to in case of such situations.
After this Councilor, Chopel Pintso Bhutia appreciated the initiative taken by AH Department, West District and assured to urge the public to take their dogs to the nearest Veterinary Centre. President PTDA, Tshering Wangdi Bhutia also addressed the meeting.
The team of veterinarians was headed by Joint Director West, Dr D.S Tewari and comprised of Dr S P Bhutia, V.O Gyalshing, Dr Kishor Thapa, Sonam Wangdi Bhutia & Loknath from VH Gyalshing, Shiva Subedi & Lall Bdr Chhetri from Pelling. Also present were Gyalshing Councilor, Chopel Pintso Bhutia, Treasurer, Chamber of Commerce, Navin Agrawal, RDA Syangang-Chumbung GPU, Tshering Nedup Bhutia, Pelling Tourism Development Association President, Tshering Wangdi Bhutia along with local public.