Hyderabad, Feb. 28 -- With India noting approximately 18,000-20,000 rabies deaths annually, majority of them being children, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner Ilambarthi on Friday, February 28 announced plans to sterilize 80 percent of stray dogs as part of its rabies control strategy.

Speaking on "Public Health and its Role in Urban Governance" at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) on National Science Day, the GHMC commissioner emphasized the deep interconnection between public health, animal health, and environmental protection.

He stated that mass vaccination drives, awareness programs, and responsible pet ownership will play a crucial role in reducing dog bite cases and rabies infecti...