Tororo to host World Rabies Day September 28

✳ Uganda rabies cases in 2020

● Total cases reported 13,392 (average 99 cases per week)
● Total deaths 266.

✳  Select district figures
Kampala -763
Moroto -487
Masindi -415
Ntungamo -442
Mbarara -464

Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Tororo will host this year’s World Rabies Day celebrations on September 28. This year, World Rabies Day will be celebrated under the theme “Rabies: One Health, Zero deaths.”

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries in conjunction with Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA) and other stakeholders are organizing the World Rabies Day celebrations and activities that will run from September 24th -28th , 2022 across the country under a One Health Approach.

According to Ministry Permanent Secretary Maj Gen David Kasura-Kyomukama, the “One Health Approach” entails actors under different disciplines working together to solve health challenges. The theme reminds the world about the importance of different stakeholders working together through a One Health approach.

The proposed activities will include mass vaccination of dogs and cats, vaccination of veterinary and health professionals at risk of rabies. In the recent past World Rabies Day was hosted by Arua in 2021, Kyiryadongo in 2020 and Kyotera 2019.

Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA) secretary Dr Bonifance Obbo hailed government for commitment  to tackle a problem that is widespread across the country, but can be resolved with vaccination of pets.

“UVA would like to thank the ministry for continuous supply of rabies vaccine and certificate to all Districts. Special thanks to Dr Anna Rose Ademum, Commissioner Animal Health. However we call up MAAIF to consider facilitating the Rabies vaccination process in terms of providing cold chain facilities like fridges, Vaccine carrier, personal protective equipment, syringes, support to vaccinators, and immunization of Veterinarians at risk.

He urged Ugandans to take keen interest as well. ” We advice the general public to consider vaccinating their dogs and cats at least once a year to protect the public from the deadly Rabies.”

In Arua alone last week, the district veterinary officer reported 7 cases, with two of the bite cases ones of children under 14. Two bite cases were from highly suspected rabid animals. Two dogs were killed during the incidences.

Activities during the Rabies Day week will emphasize the need to heighten awareness about rabies; and dismiss the fear and myths associated with the disease within the community. The intention is to give assurance that in the fight against rabies, the importance of different stakeholders is key in the success of any programmes. Key among the programmes is vaccination, and the disease is 100% preventable if it (vaccination) can be wholly embraced by all the stakeholders.

The chosen theme therefore, seeks to bring focus on the role of all key stakeholders.

The Government has and will continue investing resources in vaccination and partnering with stakeholders so as to eradicate this zoonotic disease by 2030, a goal that has been agreed upon globally.

Don’t forget, nominations for the #WorldRabiesDay Awards are open! Click here https://t.co/MJOIpoccfB to nominate that special person you know who is doing excellent work to eliminate #rabies. #1Health4Rabies #WRDAwards2022 pic.twitter.com/7nXTOJVDg7

— GARC (@RabiesAlliance) August 3, 2022

What you need to know about rabies?

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects both humans and animals. 

✳ The signs in humans include;

•Headache,

•Fear of water, wind and exposure to sunlight,

•Difficulty in swallowing and breathing,

•Seeing and hearing strange things that are non-existent

•Anxiety.

✳ The signs of an animal with rabies include;

•Aggressiveness,

•Chewing strange things (rocks, dirt or wood),

•Excessive salivation, fear of exposure to light,

•Difficulty in swallowing and breathing