Rs. 5 bn spent annually on rabies treatment – health authorities

The Health Ministry’s Director of the Rabies Control Programme, Dr. Niroshan Gamage, says that over Rs. 5 billion is spent annually on rabies treatment in Sri Lanka.

He made the remarks while attending the launch of the programme to reduce rabies spreading in the Ratnapura District.

He also noted that 14 rabies-related deaths were reported last year.

In the 1970s, more than 300 rabies deaths were reported annually in the country. However, due to the government’s immunisation programme, annual deaths have been reduced to 14 by 2025, health authorities noted.

Of the 14 deaths reported last year, 12 were caused by bites from pet dogs, with the highest number of cases recorded in Puttalam, Kurunegala, and Ratnapura Districts.

Health officials also warn that the disease can be transmitted through cat scratches and bites.

Sri Lanka aims to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies completely by 2030, in line with World Health Organisation targets.

Against this backdrop, the government continues to spend over Rs. 5 billion annually on rabies treatment, Dr. Gamage added.