ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 139* FOR 04TH MARCH, 2016
(a) to (d) Central Government provides assistance to the States for strengthening of health infrastructure under the National Health Mission. This facilitates treatment for various diseases and emergencies including snake bites. The Ministry has in the past permitted the State Governments to procure anti-snake venom serum under National Health Mission after reflecting the same in the annual PIP and seeking necessary approval for the same.
In so far as animal bite is concerned, Rabies is transmitted to the humans following bite of an animal (dog, cat, monkeys and mongoose etc.) infected by rabies virus. For prevention of deaths due to Rabies, the Government of India is implementing National Rabies Control Programme under XII Five Year Plan, which has both human and animal health components. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is the nodal agency to implement human health component. The objectives of the program are to:
• Prevent human deaths due to rabies
• Prevent transmission of rabies virus in dog population
To prevent deaths due to human rabies, the strategy adopted is to implement more cost effective Intra Dermal (ID) route of inoculation for anti-rabies vaccines for Category II & Category III bites and infiltration of Rabies immunoglobulin in all Cat III bites in all major anti-rabies clinics of government health facilities.
Animal health component is being implemented by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) initially in Haryana and Chennai to pilot test the strategy which includes:
• Mass vaccination of dogs.
• Dog population management
• Strengthening surveillance & response.
Funds are allocated to the States for organizing training of health professional on animal bite management and ID route of anti-rabies vaccination, IEC activities for community awareness on dos’ and don’ts in the event of animal bite, strengthening surveillance of human rabies and strengthening lab diagnostics for rabies.
The information regarding the deaths reported due to non-availability of anti-snake venom and anti-rabies injection is not maintained centrally. However, as per reports from the States received by Central Bureau of Health Intelligence under Directorate General of Health Services, State wise deaths due to snake bite and rabies, during the last three years in the country are at Annexure I and II respectively.
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