Myanmar's rabies vaccination coverage remains low

 

Myanmar has around 3.5 million dogs and roughly 600,000 bites are reported annually. About 80 per cent of rabies cases are caused by stray-dog bites. Urban vaccination rates are about 20 per cent and they are 5 per cent in rural areas. The World Health Organisation recommends 70 per cent coverage.

Street dogs are on the rise with about 200,000 stray dogs in the Yangon municipal area. More than 10,000 dogs and cats are officially registered at the YCDC.

Professor Nan Phyu Phyu Aung, dean of Magway medical university, said: “The health ministry distributes rabies vaccines but few people get vaccinated. Even hospital staff do not know those bitten by dogs need the rabies vaccine. It is said to be a communication breakdown between departments. Nothing will happen if the administrative body is not aware of it. There should be unity. Staff should know what kinds of medicine are available in their hospital.”

The Ministry of Health distributed 140,000 rabies vaccines in 2012-13, 300,000 in 2013-14, 250,000 in 2014-15 and 400,000 in 2015-16.