Boda-boda man takes his dog for vaccination on the World Rabies Day/Courtesy Photo

The government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State said it will soon initiate a livestock and pets vaccination campaign in its five counties to protect against the spread of rabies.

State Acting Information Minister Dominic Kang said the vaccination will target dogs, livestock and other household pets.

Kang said a cabinet meeting also passed a resolution to set up checkpoints at the entry points along the border with Sudan to ensure animals are vaccinated and checked for sicknesses.

“Honorable Minister of Animal Resource has also presented his items about the vaccination of all livestock and pets in northern Bahr El Ghazal state,” he said.

“He also wants to establish check points at the border areas with Sudan in which the animals use to come without any vaccination or checkup whether they are sick or not sick.”

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic viral disease that occurs in more than 150 countries and territories in the world.

In November 2023, Vice President of Services Hussein Abdelbagi Akol said exposure to rabies resulting from dog bites has significantly increased in the country.

Abdelbagi said about 185 dog bite cases were reported since January 2023.