Rising Rabies Infections Cause Livestock Losses in Namibia

Namibia’s chief veterinarian officer, Dr. Emmanuel Hikufe, reported that rabies infections in human and farm animals are growing every year resulting in a livestock loss valued at N$13million (approximately US$1.45million) over a four year period beginning in 2008. A significant number of Namibian dogs are infected with rabies and are transmitting the disease at a high rate to cattle and to game animals, resulting in a large loss of income for farmers.

To combat the rise of rabies, Hikufe called for a more aggressive national rabies control strategy, including the establishment of a public awareness campaign about the disease, a stricter stray dog control policy and an increased budget for canine vaccinations. Hikufe’s findings were presented at the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP) workshop held in Namibia’s capital Swakopmund in mid-February.

Summarized by Laura Baker, a GARC volunteer, from the AllAfrica article posted on February 18, 2013.