PATHANAMTHITTA: Minister Chinchu Rani told Kerala Kaumudi that steps will be taken to prevent the spread of deadly viral fever (canine distemper) in domestic dogs. The minister was responding to a report published by Kerala Kaumudi on June 8. The number of sick dogs has been collected since the news broke. The Megavac vaccine that can be taken to prevent illness costs around Rs 500-700 per medical store alone. The government will also look into the possibility of providing vaccines at subsidized rates at veterinary hospitals.

Because it is a viral disease, accurate treatment is not possible. Most surviving dogs do not recover fully due

to nerve and muscle damage.

Awareness on the disease and its immunization will be provided through the hospitals under the Animal Husbandry Department. The minister said doctors say that the disease could not be transmitted from animals to humans.