Srilanka, Feb. 15 -- The widespread availability of anti-Rabies vaccines in Government hospitals had helped reduce the number of Rabies deaths to 14 last year, Public Health Veterinary Services (PHVS) Director Dr. Niroshan Gamage told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

Despite this progress, the number of dog bite cases remain high, according to Public Health Inspectors (PHIs). Around 500 people seek hospital treatment for dog bites daily, with the Western Province including Colombo and Gampaha districts, reporting the highest numbers, PHIs said.

"Dog bites have increased significantly, and so has the number of dogs," said President of the PHI Union, K.A.P. Boralessa. "This follows the country's official ban on dog culling in 2006," the Uni...