The Ministry of Agriculture, the Veterinary Services Department, and its partners have commemorated World Rabies Day to raise awareness about the deadly rabies disease in order to prevent and control its effects in the country.
Rabies is a viral disease that is spread by the saliva of infected animals, mainly domesticated ones, dogs, or cats. World Rabies Day (WRD) provides an opportunity for people to reflect on the impact of the disease on the communities to eradicate it.
Speaking during the program, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Leelia Andrews, said since the launch of the national emergency vaccination campaign to eradicate rabies in Liberia, they have vaccinated a total of 5,359 dogs and cats across most counties.
According to this constitutes 82 percent of the target for vaccination for the year. The Deputy Minister for Technical Services made the disclosure when she delivered the message marking the occasion at the Ministry’s sub-office in Gardnersville on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture Jeanine Milly Cooper.
Minister Andrews said that Liberia still remains committed to the total eradication of rabies and achieving zero cases of dog-medicated in the country.
“We know that vaccinating dogs breaks the rabies transmission cycle slowly until it is completely eradicated, therefore, vaccinating dogs stops rabies in people which clearly makes this One Health initiative”.
She said her Ministry and partners commenced the anti-rabies national vaccination in July this year and the exercise is still ongoing. According to her, there is a plan to establish rabies vaccination centers across most counties in a gradual manner so that they don’t have to wait before the observance of World Rabies Day to get animals vaccinated.
“I am happy to inform you that I have approved the establishment of a permanent rabies vaccination desk at the Central Veterinary Laboratory CVL) in Fendell and the Animal Quarantine Center in Ganta, where dogs can be taken for vaccination all year round. We shall keep the public updated as we gradually establish more vaccination desks at the county level until the country is covered”.
She further disclosed that they have continued to strengthen the laboratory diagnostic capacity of the CVL and it has in the last two years consistently scored 100 percent in the proficiency testing of rabies that is globally coordinated.
Andrews added that they have also strengthened the epic surveillance system for rabies and other animal diseases through training and facilitation of animal actors within the Animal Diseases Surveillance and Response System.
However, she mentioned that over the last few years, they have observed some lapses in the anti-rabies national strategy, something she noted that they have engaged the services of a consultant to review the strategy.
“This is an intervention that is currently ongoing and would be finalized in the next month,” she disclosed.
The minister used the occasion to appreciate the support gotten from partners toward the eradication of rabies and other animal diseases within the country.
“I sincerely appreciate the support being provided to us by our partners, particularly the FAO and other partners for their efforts in assisting Liberia toward achieving its goal of eradicating rabies”.
The celebration was held under the theme of World Rabies Day: “One Health Zero Deaths” which focuses on the One Health goal coupled with the reminder to ensure the eradication of rabies by 2030.
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
