1953
On the recommendation of WHO consultant, late Dr. Earnest Tierkel a Veterinary Public health (V.P.H.) Unit was established under the Ministry Of Health, headed by a public health veterinarian.
HISTORY OF RABIES CONTROL ACTIVITIES IN SRI LANKA
Production of anti rabies vaccines for post exposure treatment of persons bitten by rabid and suspected animals had commenced at the Medical Research Institute (MRI) several decades back. Goat brain tissue rabies vaccine (Sample type) which is produced here was distributed to Government Medical Institutions for post exposure treatment.
1956-10-29
Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Health jointly agreed that the Department of Health Services should take over the responsibility for controlling rabies in Sri Lanka.
1959
Even though in 1959, the Eradication of Rabies – Short term Plan and in 1963, Five year plan for eradication of Rabies were formulated, they were not implemented.
1971
Rabies was declared as a notifiable disease.
1973
Record of 377 human deaths due to rabies which was the highest number in 70s.
1975
Cabinet approval was given to launch of island wide 5 year Rabies Eradication Programme (1976-1980) with the assistance of WHO. Major protion of the assistance was set to establish a laboratory for production of Fleury type anti Rabies vaccine for animals at Veterinary research Institute of Ministry of Agriculture in Peradeniya.
1981
The public Health Veterinary services was elevated to the status of a specialized campaign.
1981-1985
Second Five year Rabies Control programme. Priority was given for the activities of the elimination of stray dogs.
1985-1991
AGFUND/RB/WHO Assisted Rabies Control project to eliminate human rabies in 7 districts. (Kurunegala,Gampaha,Colombo,Kalutara,Galle,Matara and Hambantota).
1989
Decentralization of Rabies Control activities under the provincial council system.
1995
Due to increase of human rabies again to 154, another team of WHO consultants led by DR. Wanderlar visited and conducted a dog population survey in Meerigama area. This study revealed that the dog population had increased from 1:8 in 1985 to 1:4 in 1997 and about 44% of dog population is in accessible for routine rabies mass vaccination programmes.
SINCE 1998
Dr. P.A. L. Harischandra commenced innovation of strategies to reach inaccessible dogs with rabies vaccination. First choice was oral rabies vaccines. Vaccinia recombinant oral rabies vaccine was piloted in Puttlam district and it was possible to demonstrate that the ability of reaching over 75% coverage in 2003 in the district.
IN 2004
A new device to vaccinate stray dogs at a distance called auto vaccinator was introduced and stray dog vaccinations with parenteral rabies vaccines were commenced. These strategies resulted in reduction of human rabies deaths to 55 in 2005.
SINCE 2007
Administration of animal birth control injections and surgical sterilization to minimize the proliferation of the dog population.
RABIES POST EXPOSURE TREATMENT FOR HUMAN
Production of anti rabies vaccines for post exposure treatment of persons bitten by rabid and suspected animals had commenced at the Medical Research Institute (MRI) several decades back. Goat brain tissue rabies vaccine (Sample type) which is produced here was distributed to Government Medical Institutions for post exposure treatment.
SINCE 2001
Production of goat brain vaccine was discontinued and currently all the vaccines are much safer cell culture vaccine.
IN 2002
The circular on Guide lines on Prevention of Rabies by anti Rabies post exposure therapy (PET) was distributed among the hospitals.
IN 2007
No kill Policy Adopted as dog population control measure.