WRD events in Yemen work to co-ordinate rabies control

Yemen has a high risk of rabies, mostly due to the lack of a comprehensive strategy to control rabies in dogs. There is little co-ordination between the ministries charged with treating human victims of dog bites, tackling the stray dog problem and vaccinating animals. Residents are often fearful of the many stray dogs that chase them as they try to go about their everyday business. The situation seems to have worsened in recent years and from 2008 to 2012, thehealth ministry used more than 23,000 vaccinations to treat bite victims.

This year, WRD events in Yemen hosted by the Yemen Organization for the Protection of Animals (YOPA) sought toimprove awareness and work towards a better rabies control a strategy for the country.  A Workshop meeting brought together leaders in the field of rabies preventionand control from the responsible official authorities in Yemen and major international agencies. The aim was to start to develop a unified strategy for rabies prevention and control.

Free rabies vaccinations for pets were also offered from 27th September to 2nd October 2012 in collaboration withSana’a Veterinary Clinic to encourage animal lovers to take care of the iranimals and to eliminate the disease at the source of infection.

Other awareness raising activities were carried ou talso. There is a great need, especially in rural communities to make sure that people know when and how to seek treatment for dig bites so that they can prevent the onset of rabies.

Summarised from information from Mahmood ABDO, Chairman of YOPAin Sana’a, Yemen. A news article on the world rabies day activities is available here.