KAF vet clinic holds event to mark World Rabies Day

Photo By 1st Sgt. John Etheridge | A civilian contractor working dog and handler give a bomb detection demonstration at an event commemorating World Rabies Day at the Boardwalk on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 27, 2014. The event was held to educate service members on the dangers of rabies while they are deployed to Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. John Etheridge)  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

09.27.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. John Etheridge 

ISAF Regional Command South

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Service members across Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, got their fill of canine attention celebrating World Rabies Day, a United Nations observance, at an event at the Boardwalk, Sept. 27, 2014.

The event was sponsored by the 72nd Medical Detachment (Veterinarian Service Support) which runs the veterinary clinic on KAF, as a way to educate service members on the dangers of rabies while they are deployed to Afghanistan.

“This area of the world has 95 percent of the world’s rabies cases,” said Spc. Christopher Kilby, a veterinarian technologist assigned to the 72nd, and one of the event organizers. “It is something we want to bring to the awareness of our contractors and military personnel and let them know that this is a big threat out here and it’s definitely something that can affect mission readiness.”

Capt. Crystal Lindaberry, a veterinarian with 72nd Med. Det. and officer in charge of the veterinary clinic on KAF, was on hand to help educate participants.

“Rabies is a disease that is endemic to most Asian and European countries. Once a human or animal starts showing symptoms, it’s pretty much fatal. It’s one of the biggest killers in developing countries,” said Lindaberry. “If people are treated or vaccinated after being exposed to a rabid animal, it almost 100 percent prevents the disease.”

Primarily rabies is spread by feral and stray dogs but it’s not something most Americans are familiar with outside of having their pet vaccinated, she added.

“It’s not just dogs and cats,” said Kilby. “There are other animals that Soldiers who go outside the wire have to deal with, like jackals and different kinds of jungle cats.”

Even though it’s preventable, two years ago an American Service member died from the disease while serving in Afghanistan. World Rabies Day is an opportunity for the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps to educate the forces so no one else dies from the disease, said Lindaberry.

The veterinary clinic wasn’t the only booth at the event. The KAF animal and pest control team was there with a display of dangerous spiders, snakes and lizards from the area for participants to view.

“They are here showing some of the other threats we have on KAF as far as reptiles and arthropods,” said Kilby.

Working dogs were also on hand at the event for participants to play with and also for a demonstration of canine skills.

“They did a scent demonstration on how the dogs detect odors and a bite demonstration from the dogs that are trained in patrol work,” said Lindaberry. “Then some of the nicer dogs volunteered to get loved and hugged on. It was a good little vacation for both the dogs and the Soldiers.”

• Date Taken: 09.27.2014
• Date Posted: 09.29.2014 07:41
• Story ID: 143552
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF