Sessional_Paper_1948 — Page 203

35.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE

APPOINTED BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR TO CONSIDER

CONTROL MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED AGAINST RABIES.

1. We were appointed by H.E. the Governor with the following terms of reference:-

2.

To consider and make recommendations on the following:-

(a) the compulsory inoculation (anti-rabic) of dogs as a condition of

licensing;

(b) whether the compulsory inoculation requirements should be applied

also to cats and other susceptible animals;

(c) the staff, equipment and supplies necessary to implement the recom-

mendations of the Committee;

(d) other control measures to be adopted against rabies.

A notice was inserted in the Press inviting the public to furnish any facts or expressions of opinion on the question that they might wish us to consider.

Only one reply was received and that was addressed to the Editor of one of the newspapers and published in the Correspondence Column.

A copy of the notice to the press, together with a copy of the reply is attached as Appendix I.

3. Our recommendations on the terms of reference are set out below.

(a) "The compulsory inoculation (anti-rabic) of dogs as a condition of licensing."

We are of the opinion that the compulsory anti-rabic inoculation of all dogs in all parts of the Colony, as a condition of licensing, is a desirable measure and should be carried out annually. The expert opinion of this Committee is that the inoculations should be carried out during the period immediately prior to the hot weather, i.e., January-April. We recommend therefore that the licensing date should be altered from 1st January to 1st May.

In coming to this decision we had for reference reports from the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Live Stock Sanitary Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From these reports it is evident that:-

(i)

Much research work has been carried out and great progress made in the U.S.A. in the production of a vaccine for immunisation of dogs against rabies.

(ii) Prophylactic inoculation of dogs is now a practical possibility and of

considerable value in the control of rabies.

(iii)

Several States in the U.S.A. have found from practical experience that prophylactic inoculation of dogs in conjunction with other control measures has proved very successful in the reduction and control of outbreaks of rabies amongst dogs.

(iv) The U.S. Federal Government appears to make it a condition of any grant in aid of anti-rabies inoculation campaigns that, at least, 60% of the dogs of the particular area shall be inoculated.

(v) There is no reason why a higher percentage than 60% should not be secured if inoculation is made a condition of licensing and if normal strict methods of enforcing licensing are adopted.