THE Department of Animal Health and Production has yet to receive reports of rabies as a result of animal bites.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of infected animals.
While concerns have been raised about wild dogs attacking villagers on Druadrua Island in Macuata, department director Tomasi Tunabuna said they had not received reports of people being poisoned by animal bites.
“At the moment, we have not received any report of rabies, however, we are closely monitoring the situation,” he said.
“For dog poisoning, we are still receiving reports of people poisoning dogs to death.
“This is illegal.
“In cases where there are threats to human lives, people resort to such poisoning because they fear the dogs might bite them.”
Mr Tunabuna said they were trying to design a system to manage the dog population in the country.
“Our team travelled to the North last week to attend to animal complaints registered with our office there and they have returned.
“The complaints will be analysed and we will look at appropriate measures.”
