Rabies spreading in Panchthar, Eastern Nepal

PANCHTHAR:- Rabies infection has spread across three local levels in Panchthar. Phalgunanda Rural Municipality is at high risk due to the disease. The Livestock Service Section has confirmed rabies infections in five of the rural municipality’s seven wards.

According to Gopal Ghimire, Chief of the Phalgunanda Rural Municipality Livestock Service Section, rabies infection was previously confirmed in two oxen, two buffaloes, and two cows in Ward No. 2 (Phaktep); these animals died after being bitten by dogs. Ghimire stated that Wards No. 6 and 7 are at the highest risk.

According to him, a dog from an unknown location bit three cows/buffaloes and seven people in the Mehelbote area of ​​Ward No. 6, as well as three male buffaloes, seven goats, and some dogs in the Angsarang area of ​​Ward No. 7. Among these animals, symptoms resembling rabies have been observed.

Infection has also been detected in Ward No. 5. Here, most of the seven goats bitten by a dog have shown symptoms of rabies. The rural municipality has reported that, to date, 15 animals have died from rabies across various wards of Phalgunanda, and 45 others have exhibited symptoms of the disease.

Similarly, in the Nawamidanda area (Ward No. 1), a single dog bit two people and several animals, including another dog. The Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre in Phidim stated that a PCR test confirmed the dog was infected with rabies.

“We are receiving reports of the infected dog biting livestock even within the settlement areas. These figures could rise further,” said Ghimire.

Fear has spread among locals as the number of infected animals rises. According to livestock service technicians, rabies infection has been confirmed in most animals through preliminary and PCR tests, while the testing process for some samples is still underway.

The rural municipality has declared the areas of Navamidanda, Imbung, Phaktep, Pipalbote, and Mehelbote as high-risk zones and has stepped up surveillance.

Meanwhile, the municipality has taken a suspicious stray dog ​​under control after it bit about 30 other dogs and a young girl in Phidim Bazaar on Saturday evening. According to locals, the same dog had also bitten a buffalo belonging to Keshav Khanal of Phidim Municipality-4.

Following the incident, Phidim Municipality has set up a quarantine facility for dogs near Muskan Chowk. The municipality stated that the facility was established after a single dog bit approximately 40 other dogs, livestock, and several people on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre in Panchthar has confirmed a rabies infection in a goat that had been kept under observation in Hilihang Rural Municipality after exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

The Veterinary Service Center has reported an increased risk of rabies infection in three local levels of the district: Phalgunanda, Phidim, and Hilihang.

With the rising risk of infection, the municipality and affected rural municipalities have urged the public to immediately report any animals exhibiting abnormal behavior, excessive salivation, or aggressive symptoms to the Livestock Service Branch or the veterinary hospital, and to stay away from animals at risk.

Livestock service technicians have stated that dog monitoring, vaccination campaigns, and awareness programs in high-risk areas have been intensified to prevent the spread of the infection.