Zimbabwe to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies cases by 2030

vicious dog (image generated by Meta AI)

BY NYARADZO CHITUNGO

Director in the Department of Veterinary Field Services, Dr Jairas Machakwa has said by 2030, the country should have eliminated all dog-mediated human rabies cases.

Machakwa revealed this while addressing participants at a high-level three day strategic plan consultative workshop which kicked off at Bronte Hotel in Harare on Tuesday.

“Rabies remains one of the oldest yet most neglected diseases known to mankind. “Despite being 100 percent preventable, rabies tragically still claims the lives of thousands of people across the world each year, with Africa and Asia bearing the brunt of the disease,” he shared.

He added that another move to curb the spread of human rabies is whereby government will soon roll-out a mass dog vaccination programme particularly in high risk areas.

“A dog that is vaccinated gives us assurance that when it bites a person they are safe from rabies because rabies is 100 percent vaccine preventable,” he emphasised.

Dr Machakwa elaborated that rabies is not only a public health issue as “it is a disease of poverty, disproportionately affecting children and the most vulnerable members of our society.”

He candidly further revealed that rabies remains a significant public health risk in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas.

“In Zimbabwe as in any other countries in the region, rabies continues to pose a serious public health threat particularly in rural communities where access to timely post-exposure prophylaxis remains limited.

“Rabies is not a disease confined to one sector of our community, it is everybody’s responsibility.”

Machakwa also explained that government has unveiled a comprehensive strategy that aims to involve every sector of society.

“The strategy that we are crafting is going to ensure that everybody is involved leaving no one and no place behind.”

With concerted efforts from all stakeholders, Zimbabwe is poised to make significant strides in the fight against rabies.

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