Over 100,000 Sri Lankans seek treatment for animal bites annually
Oct 04, 2022
Colombo [Sri Lanka], October 4: Over 100,000 Sri Lankans receive treatment at government hospitals each year for animal bites, the country's Health Promotion Bureau said on Monday.
The bureau said about 250,000 Sri Lankans are bitten each year by domestic and wild animals, but most of them do not seek medical treatment.
Between 25 to 30 Sri Lankans die annually from rabies after bitten by animals. Rabies in Sri Lanka is mainly transmitted by dogs, according to the bureau.
Although only a small number of Sri Lankans die from rabies, the state spends a large amount on those who seek treatment for animal bites, the bureau said.
Relevant stakeholders have taken a number of steps to reduce rabies in the South Asian island country and the situation is better compared to 10 years ago.
Source: Xinhua
