Vaccine shortage leaves Ctg vulnerable to rabies threat

The number of stray dogs in Chattogram city has been rising significantly in recent times, largely due to gaps in coordinated vaccination efforts -- for both humans and animals -- and mass dog sterilisation programmes.

"We had conducted mass dog vaccination programmes jointly with the Department of Health a couple of years ago, but it hasn't been done for over two years since," said Chattogram District Livestock Officer Dr Nazrul Islam.

"Meanwhile, we get a very limited number of anti-rabies vaccines. It is too little to meet the demand of the district," he added.

Government hospitals have been facing an influx of anxious victims seeking the crucial anti-rabies vaccine.

The Department of Livestock, though active in vaccinating domesticated pets, is facing a crippling shortage of vaccine supplies -- unable to meet even the limited demand. This confluence of factors has led to a difficult situation: both the stray dog population and the human populace remain vulnerable due to a lack of coordinated action.

The absence of any visible initiative from the city corporation or other government bodies to either control the stray dog population or implement a comprehensive dog vaccination programme has exacerbated the crisis.

Consequently, with limited food sources and rising disease risks due to non-vaccination, some stray dogs are becoming increasingly distressed, often leading to incidents where they may act aggressively out of fear or hunger.

Currently, the burden of vaccination falls upon Chattogram General Hospital and Faujdarhat Infectious Disease Hospital (Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases), where dog bite patients can avail vaccines free of cost.

At the city's General Hospital, staffers confirmed a significant rise in dog bite victims at the emergency department.

According to the hospital's statistician Shawkat Al Amin, an average of 145 patients have been coming per day for rabies vaccines this month -- a notable increase compared to the month prior.

He said around 1,814 patients were given the first dose of the anti-rabies vaccine over the past month.

Contacted, Dr Mohammad Rashedul Alam, an animal welfare expert and professor at Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, said the Animal Welfare Act 2019 strictly prohibits killing any stray dog and declares it a punishable offence.

"The ideal way of controlling the overpopulation of dogs is by neutering or spaying them," he said, adding, "A programme named 'Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release (CNVR)' can be initiated jointly by the Department of Health, Department of Livestock and city corporation.

"We have introduced the programme on our campus," he said. "The government can introduce it throughout the country." He also stressed the need for continuing mass dog vaccination programmes to protect people.

Notably, Obhoyaronno Animal Welfare Foundation initiated the CNVR programme in Dhaka in 2016 with support from Humane Society International, and recently concluded a similar initiative on Saint Martin's Island, where dog populations had soared.

Contacted, Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam said they provide anti-rabies vaccines for people but not for animals, adding that Department of Livestock officials should take steps in this regard.

Animal welfare experts stress that stray dogs are not inherently dangerous. In fact, they are often victims of prolonged neglect, inadequate health support, and human hostility. Addressing the root causes through systemic interventions -- like CNVR and consistent vaccine supply -- is key to protecting both human and animal communities.

In this regard, Dr Rashedul said dogs usually do not attack anyone unless provoked or infected by rabies.

"Sometimes, when they are hungry and do not find any resource of food, they become aggressive," he said. "We have observed it during the time of pandemic when the source of food for stray dogs was very limited.

"Sometimes, they show aggressiveness when they see anything suspicious or any person being suspicious … To avoid an unwanted situation, people should not provoke or disturb the dogs and stay calm when they are barking at a person. A newcomer in an area should seek help from residents who are familiar with the local dogs in this situation."