DILI, 09 january 2023 (TATOLI) – Australia’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson, on Monday (08/01), officially handed over 200,000 doses of animal rabies vaccines from the Government of Australia to the Government of Timor-Leste.
Ambassador Caitlin Wilson said that Australia is proud to support Timor-Leste’s efforts to prevent the spread of rabies to Timor-Leste, following a rabies outbreak in West Timor in may 2023.
Wilson said that vaccines will help to prevent the loss of human and animal lives to this fatal disease.
The vaccines gifted by the Australian Government will be complemented by support for vaccine delivery.
Agriculture Minister Marcos da Cruz said that vaccines from the Australian government would be distributed to border municipalities to prevent the disease from entering the country, including Bobonaro, Covalima, Oe-Cusse, and Dili.
Cruz urged the communities from these municipalities to vaccinate their dogs against the disease as this is the best way to protect their loved ones from the disease.
“Rabies prevention in Timor-Leste is very important, given the rising number of rabies cases in West Timor,” Minister Marcos do MAPFF told reporters.
Joanita JONG, National Director of the Veterinary of the Ministry of Agriculture expressed her appreciation to the Australian government for its support.
“This vaccine is very important to protect our communities and our animals, especially dogs from this disease,” he said.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can infect all mammals—including dogs, cats, and people.
Rabies is transmitted to other animals via a bite or scratch and kills tens of thousands of people every year worldwide.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
