News

208 elephants killed in A’pura in 2.5 years

Published

2 months ago

July 13, 2023

editor

A total of 208 wild elephant deaths were reported in the Anuradhapura District in a period of two and a half years, Wildlife Ranger M. Rathnasiri said.

He said that 78 wild elephant deaths were reported in 2021, 84 in 2022 and 46 in the first six months of 2023.

This was revealed in a recent meeting held at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat where it was also revealed that 87 humans were killed in Anuradhapura in a period of two and a half years due to the human-elephant conflict.

In 2021, 32 humans were killed in elephant attacks, 37 in 2022 and 18 in the first six months of 2023.

Meanwhile, Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara said that it has been decided to construct seven new electric fences to cover Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone and Vavuniya Wildlife Zone.

Accordingly, five electric fences will be constructed in the Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone, and its length would be 272 kilometers.

Two new electric fences about 71 kilometers will be installed in the Vavuniya Wildlife Zone.

Mr. Jayasundara said that Rs.88 million have been approved to be released to the construction companies for this purpose.

The District Secretary instructed the officials of the contracting agencies to carry out the construction of the electric fence before the next rainy season.

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

2 hours ago

September 21, 2023

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The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.