Kitui, 9th September 2024– The County Department of Livestock and Apiculture today convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting aimed at raising awareness about rabies as part of preparations for this year’s World Rabies Day, which will be observed on September 28, 2024.
The gathering brought together policymakers and key stakeholders to emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve a rabies-free Kitui. The disease, primarily spread through bites from infected dogs, is a significant public health concern, and stakeholders were called upon to take joint actions to curb its spread.
Jonathan Kyambi, Chief Officer for Livestock and Apiculture, outlined the county’s multi-pronged approach to tackling rabies, which has a 100% fatality rate but is also entirely preventable.
“Rabies is a zoonotic disease with a high fatality rate, but it is 100% preventable. The county government has taken several steps, including outbreak investigations, contact tracing, public awareness campaigns, and mass dog vaccinations, to combat this deadly disease,” Kyambi said during the meeting.
He further raised concerns about the rising number of dog bites in the county, with at least one dog bite being reported daily. Alarmingly, 40% of these incidents involve school-going children, highlighting the urgency for action.
“This is a significant public health concern that requires immediate and sustained action to prevent human rabies cases,” Kyambi emphasized.
The meeting underscored the need for continued public education, particularly in rural areas, alongside mass vaccination efforts aimed at covering at least 70% of the dog population. Additionally, prompt access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and communication campaigns were identified as critical strategies in the fight against rabies. These initiatives align with the global and national goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.
This year’s World Rabies Day theme, “Breaking Rabies Boundaries,” encourages communities and stakeholders to intensify efforts in tackling the disease.
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