After the outbreak of rabies at Sarpang, which led to the death of two calves and a cow, the brain samples were sent a week ago for tests to Serbithang and the results are positive for a female cross-breed jersey of ten months.
However, the other two – an eight-year old cow and a two-month old calf tested negative for rabies.
According to the lab technician of Serology and Virology at Serbithang, Dawa Tshering, “the samples which were sent for the test were an emergency, so we had to do the test on the same day but we could manage to send the report only the next day to the concerned person”.
The samples which tested positive were from Darjaythang and the other two were from Pemathang.
After the sample reports, the dzongkhag received about 500 ARVs (Anti-Rabies Vaccine) were Serbithang which were administered to dogs and cats, according to the Sarpang District Livestock Official, Ugyen Dorji.
Since one of the samples tested positive, the mothers of the two dead calves were kept separately for safety, he said, adding that as a damage-control measure, a one-day awareness campaign was held in gewogs like Shompangkha, Singye, Dekiling and Gakiling.
Further, awareness campaigns were also held in Gelephu for the general public by officials from the Sarpang and Gelephu hospitals.
Meanwhile, the lab technician of Serbithang, said the samples are still kept at the laboratory for re-tests if needed.