Every year on September 28th, the world comes together to observe World Rabies Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about rabies prevention, control as well as elimination. As the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), we take this opportunity to engage our students, college, and the general public in the global fight to eliminate rabies.
Rabies remains a significant health concern in Tanzania, causing an estimated 1500 human deaths each year, mostly due to bites from rabid dogs. Despite being 100% preventable, rabies continues to claim lives, primarily in rural areas where access to vaccinations and awareness about rabies prevention is limited.
As a leader in veterinary education and research in the country, CVMBS has played a crucial role in rabies control and prevention initiatives. Our college has been actively involved in community outreach, vaccination campaigns, and research efforts to reduce rabies incidence in the country. Over the years, we have organized multiple vaccination drives, providing free rabies vaccinations for domestic dogs and educating pet owners on responsible animal care.
In 2021, CVMBS faculty and students through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with AFROHUN, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MoLF), Ministry of Health (MOH) and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) initiated and operationalized the rabies elimination campaign in Kisarawe district that provided free rabies vaccine shots to over 1500 dogs and cats in 16 wards in the district. This initiative was met with enthusiastic support from the local community, furthering our mission to protect vulnerable populations from rabies.
Similar campaigns have been carried out in Moshi district, Kilimanjaro region and Kilosa district, Morogoro region were a combined total of more than 1000 dogs and cats received the much needed shots.
Rabies is a global problem, but it is preventable through vaccination and education. At CVMBS, we are dedicated to continuing our role in rabies eradication efforts through community outreach and research. We call on our students, staff, and the general public to join us on September 28, 2024, to honor World Rabies Day, raise awareness, and contribute to the global goal of Zero by 30, with zero human rabies deaths by 2030.
Let’s work together to create a rabies-free future
