Dog fatalities in Dikchu due to canine distemper

INSPECTION AND TREATMENT CARRIED OUT BY SARAH TEAM
MANGAN, 18 Oct: Increase in the number of dog fatalities in the Dikchu area in the past couple of weeks had got residents here worried that the disease that was causing these deaths might spread to humans as well. However, it has been found that canine distemper is to be blamed.
On 17 October, a team from SARAH headed by Dr. Thinlay N Bhutia who is the programme coordinator of SARAH Division inspected the villages in-and-around Dikchu. The team found that an outbreak of canine distemper was causing the deaths.
All the infected dogs here were treated by the SARAH team with antibiotics and the dogs will be kept under observation for up to 36 to 48 hours.
The team visited all the affected places of Jang, Aapdara, Dikchu Bazar and Dikchu New Market from where dog deaths have been reported. The SARAH team also held an awareness camp for the general public regarding the prevention and control measures of Canine Distemper where Dr. Thinlay gave some important information on the disease.  
While highlighting on the prevention measures, Dr. Thinlay stressed that the dog should be kept in an isolated place and that the food/water bowls, blanket, bedding etc. used for an infected animal should not be reused in general as it is highly contagious. He further informed that proper disposal of carcass either through deep burial or burning should be ensured.  
In case a dog succumbs to the disease, the owners should make sure that the place of death should be thoroughly sanitized and the carcass disposed off properly and no new dogs should be introduced for at least 3 months.
He further informed that it is mandatory to register all pet dogs at the nearest Veterinary Centre.
The residents of Dikchu and surrounding areas extended their gratitude to the concerned department especially Animal Husbandry (SARAH-Division) for undertaking timely action.
Dr. Thinlay while speaking to NOW! informed that Canine Distemper out-break is common especially during the winter seasons and it has been found that a majority of the pet dogs in Sikkim do not get vaccinated against CD, Parvo virus, Influenza, Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis etc with the people opting only for vaccination against rabies.
“We have treated the disease with antibiotics and our team will conduct a camp for five days at Dikchu for proper treatment”, he added.
It may be mentioned here that the common symptoms of Canine Distemper are mild depression, fever, oculonasal discharge, dry cough which may become productive, general malaise, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea.