World Rabies Day was observed in Paikgacha with an awareness discussion highlighting the importance of timely action and preventive measures against the deadly but preventable disease.
The Upazila Health Department organised the discussion at the Upazila Health Complex auditorium on Monday morning under the theme, “Stronger Together—Building a Rabies-Free World.”
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Ahsanara Binte Ahmed chaired the programme.
Residential Medical Officer Dr Shakila Afroze, Junior Consultant and gynaecology specialist Dr Sujan Kumar Sarkar, Medical Officers Dr Sanjay Kumar Mondal, Dr Pranta Sarkar, Dr Nayan Kumar Sarker and Dr Tanvir Ahmed attended as special guests.
Upazila Sanitary Inspector and Upazila Safe Food Officer Uday Kumar Mondal, Nurse Supervisor Hamida Khatun, Head Assistant Debabrata Sarker and Statistician Jahangir Alam also spoke at the meeting.
Other officials and employees of the health complex were present.
Dr Ahsanara Binte Ahmed said World Rabies Day was being observed in Paikgacha along with other countries around the world.
She said rabies is an extremely serious and potentially fatal disease, but it can be completely prevented through timely and appropriate action and awareness.
According to Dr Ahsanara, rabies is mainly transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected dogs, cats, foxes, mongooses or monkeys.
She said once the virus enters the body and symptoms appear, death is almost inevitable. Therefore, she stressed that there is no scope for negligence or superstition regarding the disease.
The Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer also said rabies vaccines and treatment facilities are available at the Upazila Health Complex for people exposed to the disease.
