World Rabies Prevention Week was observed in the districts of Niuland, Chumoukedima, and Dimapur by organizing awareness programmes at Community Hall Hovishe, Niuland, Community Hall Tenyiphe-II, Chumoukedima, and Community Hall, Lengrijan, Dimapur Sadar on September 25, 26 and 27 respectively in commemoration of World Rabies Day 2025 under the theme “Act Now: You, Me, Community”. The programmes were organized by Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Dimapur Unit under Chief Medical Officer Dimapur in collaboration with Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.
The main objectives during the week long observation are to create awareness about rabies prevention, transmission and control measures among the general public, particularly in high-risk groups such as children, pet owners, and animal handlers. The awareness program also aims to improve bite management by informing the communities about the importance of seeking medical attention immediately after an animal bite and proper wound management.
Additionally, the program seeks to increase awareness about the importance of pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination against rabies. By increasing vaccination coverage, the risk of rabies transmission can be reduced and prevent human deaths.
These awareness programmes also promote responsible pet ownership. This includes encouraging people, especially the community leaders to ensure all pet owners in their localities to vaccinate their pets, especially dogs, and promote responsible pet care.
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The resource persons also informed the communities on the initiative by the Government to increase surveillance of animal bites and rabies deaths reporting to improve disease monitoring and response. They also warned the public about the growing threat of zoonotic diseases, intensified by climate change, and emphasized the need for intensified vigilance and preventive measures.
Resource persons for the programmes were Dr A Kavito Zhimomi, District Programme Officer CD-1/DSO, Dr Hokato, Chief Veterinary Officer, Niuland, Dr Amenla Imchen, Chief Veterinary Officer Chumukedima, Dr E Kopfoh ,Chief Veterinary Officer, Dimapur, and Dr Molung, Epidemiologist IDSP. The programme was chaired by Aomar, Data Manager, IDSP Dimapur. Brief speeches were delivered by the respective Village Council Chairmen, followed by mass vaccination of pet dogs.
