Let the cats be
Muscat: Many cats do not belong to a home or to the wildlife, which is why they are known as feral. They are also referred to as community cats or neighbourhood cats. Their lifespan is much shorter than domestic cats due to the challenges they face, from lack of food to road accidents. Survival is a day-to-day struggle for them.
They often hang around municipal trash cans and tend to avoid people unless provoked. The issue arises when people encroach on their territory.
During the Eid holiday, when more people venture outdoors, a private sector hospital reported 16 cases requiring antirabies vaccinations in one day. One patient mentioned that a cat had bitten his big toe the previous day. He said, 'It was bleeding a lot last night, so the doctor advised me to get the vaccination.'
Doctors check if the patient's blood has been exposed and recommend a tetanus injection. It is crucial to complete the five-dose anti-rabies vaccination series to prevent any complications.
Dr Peter Nolosco, a Veterinary Surgeon at Capital Vet Clinic, explained, 'If a house cat is properly vaccinated, there is no need to worry. If the cat is infected, consult a physician. For stray cats, follow the physician's advice on tetanus and antirabies vaccinations.'
Some people clean the scratch area and move on, while others seek medical attention promptly.
A study published by the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal mapped the epidemiology of animal bites and rabies in Oman from 1991 to 2013. It found a high incidence of animal bites, emphasising the need for a rabies prevention and control programme.
Oman now has a national surveillance system for animal bites and rabies, with notification required within 24 hours for group A disease cases. The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Oman primarily uses purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) for post-exposure treatment. Pre-exposure treatment for high-risk groups is done by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR).
Pets can travel once all precautionary measures are taken. Oman Airports have specific conditions for pets travelling through the Passenger Terminal, including obtaining permission from the destination country, following their laws and providing a veterinarian passport for the pet.
As for the feral cats, they just need better understanding from the humans, especially children.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
11 hours ago
- Observer
WHO: New coronavirus variant seen only sporadically in Germany
The new coronavirus variant spreading globally,especially in parts of Asia, has not taken hold in Germany, according to the World Health Organization. The variant, known as NB.1.8.1, was first detected in January and has been classified by the WHO as a "variant under monitoring." In Germany, the variant was first detected at the end of March and has so far only appeared sporadically, according to the country's public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). "No trend can be derived here; current Covid case numbers are low,and correspondingly less sequencing is being conducted," the institute stated. University of Basel biophysicist Richard Neher said whether this variant "will establish itself [in Germany] depends on how other variants evolve. It is quite possible that NB.1.8.1 will prevail, but it is likely to be relatively insignificant." In the most recent reporting week, which ended on June 8, the RKIrecorded 698 Covid cases - a slight increase - but the institute noted this is off a very low base. Many infections are likely going undetected due to limited testing. Slight increase in virus load in wastewater Wastewater monitoring also showed a slight increase in SARS-CoV-2levels over the past four weeks - albeit still at a low level. The new NB.1.8.1 strain is derived from the XDV.1.5 lineage dominantin East Asia, according to biophysicist Neher. The state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua, citing the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, reported that thenew strain had become China's dominant variant by the end of May." The variant is increasing in frequency compared to other variants,"Neher noted. NB.1.8.1 is therefore more transmissible in the sensethat an infection generates more secondary infections than otherstrains. No evidence of more severe cases There is no evidence that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness,Chinese authorities have said. This aligns with the WHO's assessmentthat, despite rising case and hospitalization numbers in countrieswhere the variant is widespread, there is currently no indicationthat it causes more serious illness than other circulating variants. Covid-19 vaccines currently approved are expected to protect againstsevere illness caused by NB.1.8.1, the WHO said.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Let the cats be
Muscat: Many cats do not belong to a home or to the wildlife, which is why they are known as feral. They are also referred to as community cats or neighbourhood cats. Their lifespan is much shorter than domestic cats due to the challenges they face, from lack of food to road accidents. Survival is a day-to-day struggle for them. They often hang around municipal trash cans and tend to avoid people unless provoked. The issue arises when people encroach on their territory. During the Eid holiday, when more people venture outdoors, a private sector hospital reported 16 cases requiring antirabies vaccinations in one day. One patient mentioned that a cat had bitten his big toe the previous day. He said, 'It was bleeding a lot last night, so the doctor advised me to get the vaccination.' Doctors check if the patient's blood has been exposed and recommend a tetanus injection. It is crucial to complete the five-dose anti-rabies vaccination series to prevent any complications. Dr Peter Nolosco, a Veterinary Surgeon at Capital Vet Clinic, explained, 'If a house cat is properly vaccinated, there is no need to worry. If the cat is infected, consult a physician. For stray cats, follow the physician's advice on tetanus and antirabies vaccinations.' Some people clean the scratch area and move on, while others seek medical attention promptly. A study published by the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal mapped the epidemiology of animal bites and rabies in Oman from 1991 to 2013. It found a high incidence of animal bites, emphasising the need for a rabies prevention and control programme. Oman now has a national surveillance system for animal bites and rabies, with notification required within 24 hours for group A disease cases. The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Oman primarily uses purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) for post-exposure treatment. Pre-exposure treatment for high-risk groups is done by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR). Pets can travel once all precautionary measures are taken. Oman Airports have specific conditions for pets travelling through the Passenger Terminal, including obtaining permission from the destination country, following their laws and providing a veterinarian passport for the pet. As for the feral cats, they just need better understanding from the humans, especially children.
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Muscat Daily
COVID-19 cases rise in Eastern Mediterranean
Cairo, Egypt – COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, in line with global trends, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. The recent increase is driven by the NB.1.8.1 variant, which is under monitoring but currently poses no additional health risks compared to earlier strains. The current wave mirrors seasonal surges observed last year, with no abnormal or unexpected virus activity reported. Hospitalisations and demand for intensive care remain low, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region Office confirmed. 'COVID-19 transmission continues at considerable levels in many areas,' said WHO. It reiterated that the global risk level remains high and advised countries to continue monitoring, reporting cases and assessing the burden on healthcare systems. Despite the rise in infections, WHO advised against travel or trade restrictions, stating that current data does not justify such measures. To reduce the risk of infection, people are advised to avoid crowds, wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, and maintain good hygiene practices. 'Clean your hands regularly, cover your nose and mouth when sneezing, and stay home if symptomatic,' WHO stated. Vaccination, including booster doses, remains key to preventing severe illness and death. Existing vaccines continue to be effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant. WHO has urged countries to ensure high-risk groups are up to date with their immunisation schedules. In December 2024, WHO released a new package of recommendations to guide countries in managing ongoing transmission. These include maintaining strong surveillance systems, improving vaccine access, enhancing healthcare delivery, and countering misinformation. Since the global health emergency ended in May 2023, national responses to COVID-19 have varied. Some countries have integrated COVID-19 into routine respiratory health programmes, while others are transitioning toward long-term management. Vaccination continues to play a central role, often delivered alongside seasonal flu and RSV immunisation. WHO said it remains committed to supporting countries by providing technical guidance, coordinating global networks, and helping build essential public health capacities.
