Rabies, a serious zoonotic disease, is endemic in Sri Lanka and
has extremely expensive consequences in relation to the cost of
control, medical expenses, human lives and animal welfare.
National rabies control measures in place are theoretically
sound but ineffectively implemented resulting in only minimal
impact. BPT in collaboration with the Colombo Municipal Council
(CMC) and WSPA conducted (June 2007 to December 2012 ongoing) a
successful Rabies and dog population management field trial of a
multidimensional protocol developed by an international
coalition of experts (ICAM); within the city limits. Previous
control programs (Colombo city limits) involving vaccination of
owned dogs and culling of roaming dogs resulted in stable
baseline dog rabies numbers averaging 35 per year (1992 to
2007). This denotes a lack of effective herd immunity and a
state of endemicity. To positively affect the consequences
mentioned initially, dog rabies must be reduced to near zero;
else, all roaming dog bites (as the animal