Category: Health

Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have called on the citizens to vaccinate their dogs to prevent rabies as the state, according to the spokesperson, has registered over 600 cases of dog bites since January 2023.

This was during the World Rabies Day held in Aweil town yesterday.

The event was officiated by Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Ayii Akol and attended by the national Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, the state governor, and other senior state officials.

UN representatives also took part in marking the day with the locals.

While speaking at the event, Governor Tong Ngor Akeen said one of his senior officials’ wives was bitten by a dog on the eve of the day.

Ngor expressed his government’s commitment to reducing the cases of rabies and called on the citizens to vaccinate their dogs to prevent rabies in the area.

“The state government is committed to reducing the cases of rabies we need everyone to make sure that vaccinate their dogs while having medicines stored in the state, yesterday (Tuesday),  the wife of our advisor Akok Manyel was bitten by a dog here in Aweil.”

He also advised the people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state to be vigilant against wild dogs.

“We must fight and take issues of rabies seriously because our state has reported increasing cases of rabies and dog bites.”

On his part, the Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries Onyoti Adigo Nyikec appealed to the UN partners to double efforts to provide sufficient policy for rabies dogs vaccine.

In the meantime, he urged the citizens to pay attention to dogs and take them for vaccination

“We must put our attention to our dogs and bring them for vaccination because of this disease,

“The world agreed that up to 2030 we make sure to eradicate this disease, but the only way is to take the vaccine.

“I am appealing to FAO and world developmental partners we have to double our efforts to provide sufficient policy for rabies dog vaccine.”

The Global Alliance for Rabies Control emphasizes the need for a practical planning, monitoring, and evaluation tool to guide, develop, and refine rabies control programs.