DILI, 11 march 2024 (TATOLI) – Since january, the National Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MAPPF) has vaccinated more than 13,200 dogs in three municipalities – Bobonaro, Covalima, and Oé-Cusse.
These dogs were vaccinated as part of the Government effort to protect communities and raised awareness of this deadly disease – as well as ways to prevent infection.
“So far, we have vaccinated 13,223 dogs in the first phase of the vaccination program, including 3,832 dogs in Oé-Cusse, 4,406 in Covalima, and 4,985 in Bobonaro,” said Joanita Bendita Jong, National Veterinary Director.
Jong said that the second phase of the vaccination program is expected to be launched this week.
The vaccination team managed to reach and vaccinate dogs in the remote areas of these three municipalities, according to her.
When asked about the number of dogs to be vaccinated in Dili, Jong said that the veterinary teams will manage to vaccinate up to 10,000 dogs.
In january, the Government of Australia, through its Embassy in Dili, handed over 200,000 doses of animal rabies vaccines 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.
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
