WORLD RABIES DAY
Free-roaming dogs represent the highest risk of rabies for among all mammals. 80% of most human deaths of rabies are blamed on free-roaming dogs. When we support programs to vaccinate dogs, and train experts in animal handling, we’ll make a difference
Focusing on this year’s theme, Vaccinate to Eliminate, our team, led by our director Mr. Ayubu Nnko, celebrated this day by conducting free rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats in the Iramba area of Singida region. This was a massive vaccination campaign that saw 397 dogs and cats get vaccinated against Rabies.
Many pets brought to the stations for free vaccination
It was an interesting day indeed, and our team also engaged with students in the area, educating them on Rabies, proper animal handling and campaign efforts against the disease.
Telling and detailed explanation on rabies and how to be safe around dogs to school pupils is one of EAAW Agenda
Why we should join hands to fight against Rabies
Rabies is estimated to cause the deaths of over 59,000 human beings in a year, all around the globe. In average, at least 100 people die of Rabies every year. This costs over 8billion USD annually in treatment alone. In recent time, Rabies has been a neglected disease, mainly associated with developing countries.
Acute phases of Rabies infection is very lethal and is characterized by hallucinations, fever and paralysis. Other symptoms may include changes in behavior and neurological changes, such as increased aggression.
Rabies is a fatal disease! In fact, it has a fatality rate of nearly 100%. Among all zoonotic diseases, Rabies causes the most human deaths of all diseases. However, rabies is 100% preventable. Through vaccination, nobody will die of Rabies. It is with this in mind, that EAAW conducted a vaccination campaign.
EEAW team giving free rabies vaccines to dogs and cats in Iramba-Singida area
It is important to remember that this is not a disease that is easily spread between humans; it is a disease of animals. Indeed, many reports have shown that vaccination is the most effective way of controlling the disease. It is also cost efficient to vaccinate the animals, than to treat people after exposure to the disease.
Rabies outreach Campaign in a schools in Iramba Singida
Afterwards, our team conducted an awareness campaign among students in Iramba Singida division. This was an interesting session that was conducted by our director, Mr. Ayubu Nnko.
The aim of the awareness activity was to sensitize children on the following;
The importance of vaccinating pets ( such as dogs and cats).
How to report stray animals to local government authorities.
Practising caution on stray dogs and cats.
Education on Rabies.
School-going children from a local school in Iramba Singida learning about Rabies, and taking part in the World rabies day celebrations.
“Rabies is a bad disease. Rabies kills. We should fight rabies by vaccinating our dogs.”~A primary-school student from Iramba-Singida.
“When we vaccinate our dogs, we are creating a world free of rabies. We owe this to our children, our animals and the future generations. Let us vaccinate to eliminate.”~Ayubu Nnko, EAAW Country Director.
The day ended on a high note, with celebrations, pictures and festivities among the children and the EAAW team. EAAW is grateful to Iramba DVO for their generous support and good will in ensuring that this day went well.
Children from a local school posing for a picture with EAAW director after completion of the day’s activities,
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