Vaccination Drive hosted for canines on Zoonosis Day

Mumbai, India: Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has conducted free anti-rabies vaccination to over a lakh canine across the country on the eve of the Zoonosis Day. Diseases that are transmitted from animals to human and vice-versa are known as Zoonotic diseases. This is a large drive to create social awareness about “One Health”, which means healthy co-existence of animals, human beings and eco-system.

IIL is a leading vaccine manufacturer and a “One Health” company producing world class human and animal health vaccines including vaccines for various zoonotic diseases. Every year on 6th of July, which is also observed as “World Zoonosis Day”, IIL engages many Veterinary dispensaries, NGOs and Veterinarians across the country conduct Rabies awareness camps. IIL conducted free vaccination camps to administer more than one lakh doses of RAKSHARAB (anti-rabies vaccine produced by IIL) in as many as 100 centres across 21 states in the country through veterinary dispensaries, NGOs etc.

Seventy percent of all emerging diseases such as Rabies, Swine Flu, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Porcine Cysticercosis, Nipah, Zika etc that affect humans are zoonotic in nature. In India, occurrence of Rabies is prevalent and accounts for more than 90% of all zoonotic cases reported in the country. India accounts for significant number of rabies deaths reported worldwide. The economic cost of dog mediated rabies has been estimated at $ 8.6 billion (as per WHO). The high incidence of rabies in India is due to large stray dog population in India, which is estimated at about 60 million and significantly lower rate of vaccination. Prophylaxis through vaccination is the most cost-effective intervention to reduce incidence of disease. Several countries have been able to reduce the number of rabies related human deaths through vaccination of dogs.

Over the years, IIL has emerged as a frontrunner in vaccine production, consistently contributing to disease prevention and control through relentless dedication to research and innovation. IIL has developed and manufactured vaccines for various zoonotic diseases such as rabies, brucellosis etc. IIL continues to be a leading manufacturer of animal rabies vaccine (Raksharab) and human rabies vaccine (Abhayrab) in the country. IIL’s CYSVAX is the world’s first vaccine for Porcine Cysticercosis in Pigs. Cysticercosis is a very important zoonotic disease, and it is understood that it is a prime cause of epilepsy in humans. Vaccinating Pigs against Porcine Cysticercosis can help significantly reduce the incidence of epilepsy in humans.

Speaking on the occasion of Zoonosis Day, Dr K. Anand Kumar, MD, Indian Immunologicals Ltd said, “IIL is the single largest contributor for self-sufficiency to our nation in the field of vaccines. IIL has developed many vaccines that addresses the Zoonotic diseases including the world’s first vaccine against Porcine Cysticercosis. IIL is also committed to eradication of Zoonotic diseases and actively working with Government of Kerala, Municipal Corporation of Thiruvanthapuram to make Kerala Rabies Free.”