Thane: The dog who had gone on a biting spree on Wednesday could have been bitten by a monkey, claim officials from the civic body.
The officials said that during interrogation with people at Court Naka where the dog had bitten around four people, including two children, they learnt that a few days ago a group of monkeys were seen wandering around in the area. Residents had complained about this to the forest department as well.
“As per our investigations it is suspected that a few days ago monkeys from the forest area created havoc near Thane court area. One of the monkeys could have had an encounter with the stray and bit him. So if the monkey was suffering from rabies then it is likely that the virus was transferred to the dog. But the conclusion can only be made once the post mortem report comes,” said Dr. Ram Kendre, medical health officer at the TMC. As a preventive measure, along with medicines, the TMC has made sure to avail of rabies vaccination for the four patients who were bitten by the dog. The patients Miyesh Mane (8), Payal Walmiki (20), Rohit Pawar (1) and Jaya Mhaskar (53) who suffered injuries have been given the immunoglobulin vaccine. The vaccine neutralises the rabies virus immediately as it’s given directly on the wound.
“Since the residents are also worried about other dogs to be infected with the virus in the area, we are going to do some health checks of dogs, especially the ones who are showing signs of odd behaviour. Also, we have started immunization drives and are vaccinating all dogs in the area so that they do not get infected with the virus,” said Dr. Kendre.
As per our investigations it is suspected that a few days ago monkeys from the forest area created havoc near Thane court area. One of the monkeys could have had an encounter with the stray and bit him. So if the monkey was suffering from rabies then it is likely that the virus was transferred to the dog. But the conclusion can only be made once the post mortem report comes