Over 26,000 dogs vaccinated against rabies in Blantyre, Malawi
Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms develop but is entirely preventable with proper vaccination and awareness, according to research studies.
BLANTYRE, Malawi — Mission Rabies, a project of Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS), has vaccinated more than 26,000 dogs against rabies in Blantyre city during its tenth annual mass vaccination campaign, writes Steven Godfrey Mkweteza.
Nelson Mundira, project coordinator for Blantyre, Mwanza, and Neno, said Friday that 26,861 dogs were vaccinated, representing 86% of the city's dog population.
"Our aim is to vaccinate at least 70% of the dog population to achieve herd immunity," Mundira said.
"This is necessary to eliminate rabies in dogs since 99% of all human rabies cases are caused by a bite from a rabid dog."
The campaign, which began in 2015, has significantly reduced human rabies cases. Mundira noted, "In 2012, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital recorded the highest incidences of rabies in children compared to any other institution in Africa, but now it's one of the lowest."
Dr. Dagmar Mayer, WVS Director of the Malawian mission, reported that the outreach also sterilized 225 dogs and two cats. Of the sterilized dogs, 19 were found to have Transmissible Venereal Tumors (TVT).
"Dogs get these when mating with other affected dogs. We have put them on Vincristine treatment until the tumors regress completely," Mayer explained.
The campaign also raised awareness about rabies prevention, proper response to dog bites, and encouraged communities to bring animals for vaccination and sterilization.
Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms develop but is entirely preventable with proper vaccination and awareness, according to research studies.