Hyderabad: IAS officer Ronald Rose, the zonal commissioner for central and in- charge of GHMC’s west zone, had to rush to the fever hospital at Nallakunta on Tuesday after a rat bit his palm.
Mr Ross, who was busy at his official chamber at the central zone office had his hand on the table when the rat bit off a bit of his flesh and scooted. The officer rushed to the hospital, but had to wait for an hour for the anti-rabies injection as doctors were not available. Mr Ross had to make some noise for the hospital authorities to give him medication.
“I didn't know when the rat bit me, didn't see it on the table as well. However it left me bleeding. I had to wait for an hour at the fever hospital as doctors were not available. However there is no itching, redness or infection,” said the zonal commissioner.
Rats can transmit a number of serious diseases. They can also introduce disease-carrying parasites like fleas and ticks into your home. They invade your home or office seeking food, water and warmth. Rodents tend to be rapid breeders. Some species breed year-round, and populations are maintained through constant reproduction. Because of the rodents' body size they are capable of squeezing through spaces that appear to be much too small.
The GHMC states that they are not responsible for checking the rodent menace and are only concerned with dogs, monkeys and cattle. Mr. Govardhan Reddy, GHMC’s veterinary officer, north zone explained, “GHMC deals only with stray dogs and monkeys and not rodents. Monkey catching has been outsourced to a private agency who set up cages, catch and then release them with the approval of the forest department. Before release the male monkeys are sterilized.”
For controlling stray dogs the GHMC had introduced the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti Rabies Vaccinations (ARV). Every day 50-60 dogs in each zone will be sterilized and vaccinated. While health dogs are sterilized at the animal homes of GHMC, mass sterilization program is as well taken up by the GHMC.
