The County Government of Siaya is conducting a free Mass Rabies Vaccination of Cats and Dogs in order to arrest recent emerging cases of Dog bites and confirmed rabies cases across the County.
‘Rabies Elimination Strategy’ piloted in Siaya from 2016 to 2020 saw about 210,000 dogs vaccinated against this highly infectious zoonotic disease and this ultimately saw a decline in Rabies cases. Since then, the period gap has led to new cases, occasioning the County Government to react promptly.
“The County Government has procured 11,760 doses at a cost of Kshs.999,600 to help arrest a situation that has caused panic among residents. We are looking forward to procuring more vaccines within the next three years so as to ensure normalcy”, said Dr. George Erick Otieno Owino, County Director of Livestock and Veterinary Services earlier today at Oele Chief’s Camp (Bondo Sub – County) during the Vaccination exercise.
Present at Goma Primary School during the same exercise, Dr. Mark Otieno, Bondo Sub – County Veterinary Officer urged residents to ensure their Dogs and cats are vaccinated once a year in a bid to collectively fight this malady.
“About 90% of cases in humans are dog mediated through bites and scratches whilst 99.99% of clinical cases result to deaths within 10 days. Our choices are therefore limited in terms of taking precautions to safeguard our lives”, he added.
The exercise proceeds tomorrow in Bondo Sub – County at Pap Kado, Majengo, Bar Okwiri and Odhuro Primary Schools.
On 13th May 2022 at Migwena, Anyuongi, Arude Cattle Dip and Kwere Primary School.
On 16th May 2022 at Ogada Cattle Dip, Nyamira, Dunya and Bar Opuk Primary Schools.
The exercise shall be kicking off in Alego Usonga next week at various designated centers.
Department of Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock and Fisheries, County Government of Siaya.
