Around 2,000 people die of rabies every year in the country, said the speakers at press conference yesterday.

This is the second highest death rate from rabies caused by dog bite in the world.

The press conference on Rabies in Bangladesh was organised by Renata Limited at a city restaurant.

Managing Director of Renata Limited Syed S Kaiser Kabir said Nervous Tissue Vaccine (NTV), which is still used to prevent rabies, is outdated and has many side effects.

It needs 14 doses of vaccine in navel and its failure rates is 10 percent. There is another Tissue Culture Vaccine (TCV) whose side effect is much less but it costs a little more. It, however, needs only five doses, he added.

Mr. Kabir said it is a matter of concern that the death rate is not declining due to lack of awareness.

Product Manager Emdadul Huq said it is very urgent to start the treatment within 24 hours.

Journalist Mr. Shafiq Rehman, Mr. Shafiul Alam and Md. Halimusshan of Renata Limited also spoke.