Khaberni - The Tunisian authorities have initiated a widespread vaccination campaign for dogs in the governorates of Siliana, Kasserine, and Kef in the west of the country.
The campaign follows the discovery of a rabies hotspot in three governorates, after the death of an 11-year-old girl from rabies in the Jendouba area of Kasserine governorate, following a stray dog bite.
The Ministries of Health, Interior, and Agriculture, in a joint statement regarding rabies control, called on Tunisians to comply with a set of preventive measures to protect their health and lives from the risk of this disease, which has claimed the lives of 9 people so far.
Abdelrazzaq Al-Majri, head of the Animal Production Department, affirmed that the campaign includes awareness days in the three governorates, noting that the hotspot was discovered following the death of an 11-year-old girl in the area of Jendouba who was bitten by a stray dog.
Al-Majri revealed that veterinary services in the governorates of Siliana, Kef, and Kasserine have vaccinated more than 5,000 dogs and cats, including about 1,000 dogs in the Siliana governorate.
He called, on this occasion, for all citizens to engage in making these campaigns successful and to contribute to the vaccination of their dogs, adding that in case of being scratched or bitten by an animal, it is necessary to wash the injury site with soap and water for 15 minutes, and proceed to the nearest health unit, where the animal is monitored by veterinary services, and if it dies, samples are taken from it to be analyzed at the Pasteur Institute.
The General Directorate of Veterinary Services, in a statement, stated that the awareness campaign included providing guidance on the importance of periodic vaccination of susceptible domestic animals, the proper behavior when exposed to a bite, as well as raising awareness about the need to maintain cleanliness of the surroundings and proper disposal of waste and food residues, which limits the attraction and proliferation of stray animals, alongside instilling a culture of responsible ownership of animals and enhancing principles of animal welfare, as they are essential elements for prevention of the disease.
The General Directorate of Veterinary Services confirmed that awareness represents a fundamental pillar in combating rabies, noting that the effectiveness of vaccination programs remains linked to the citizens' awareness and their participation in preventive actions, through ensuring their animals are vaccinated regularly, adopting correct health behaviors, and maintaining cleanliness of the environment.
It added that this campaign is part of the "One Health" approach, which is based on the integration of roles of veterinary services, Ministry of Health, and local communities, alongside the contribution of citizens as essential partners in protecting the health of humans and animals and preserving the environment.
The rabies virus, present in the saliva of infected animals, spreads when an animal bites or comes into contact with another animal or a human, and can lead to death if left untreated.
