To eliminate the deadly disease rabies from the country, a large-scale dog vaccination (MDG) program is set to begin in Karnaphuli Upazila of Chattogram district. In this regard, an orientation meeting was held on Thursday (1 January 2026) at 11:00 am at the auditorium of the Karnaphuli Upazila Temporary Health Complex. The meeting focused on the severity of rabies, its prevention, first aid measures, and the importance of public awareness.
The meeting was organized jointly by the upazila administration and the health department. The Chief Guest was Karnaphuli Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sajib Kanti Rudra. Special guests included Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Mosammat Zebunnessa, Upazila Livestock Officer Rakibul Islam, Upazila Primary Education Officer Sanaullah Kaysar, and MODC of the Upazila Health Complex Dr. Tasin Mostafa. Officials from relevant departments were also present, including Md. Muktar Uddin, MDV Supervisor from the Disease Control Wing of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dhaka.
The meeting informed that from January 5 to January 9, a five-day dog vaccination campaign will be conducted across Karnaphuli Upazila. One dedicated team will operate in each union to provide free rabies vaccines to dogs. The program aims to bring both stray and pet dogs under vaccination coverage. Officials expressed hope that this initiative would significantly reduce the risk of rabies in the area.
Speakers noted that rabies is a highly fatal disease that is primarily transmitted to humans through bites from infected dogs. Once symptoms appear, death is almost inevitable. However, the disease is completely preventable through timely vaccination and proper awareness. Therefore, along with vaccinating dogs, raising public awareness is critically important.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Mosammat Zebunnessa emphasized that after a dog bite, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and clean water for at least 15 minutes, followed by immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility. She urged people to avoid superstition or negligence and to complete the full course of anti-rabies vaccination. She also mentioned that under the government’s “One Health” approach, the health and livestock departments are working together to eliminate rabies.
In his address, Chief Guest UNO Sajib Kanti Rudra said that eliminating rabies is not solely the responsibility of the government; active participation from the public is essential.
He called upon local representatives, teachers, religious leaders, social organizations, and volunteers to play an active role in making the vaccination campaign successful. He added that with planned and continuous implementation of such programs, it is possible to make Karnaphuli Upazila rabies-free.
At the end of the meeting, participants pledged to take coordinated initiatives to prevent rabies and sought the cooperation of people from all walks of life to ensure the success of the upcoming dog vaccination campaign.
