DILI, 09 april 2024 (TATOLI) – The National Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MAPPF) has so far administered the rabies vaccine to 28,273 dogs, 2,538 cats, and 186 monkeys.
According to Agriculture Minister, Marcos da Cruz, the goal of vaccinating the 49,963 registered dogs has not yet been reached because the teams have to travel several kilometers on foot to reach remote areas in Oé-Cusse, Covalima, and Bobonaro, and they also need to convince dog owners who don’t allow their animals to be vaccinated.
When asked about the number of vaccinated dogs in Dili, Cruz said that vaccination is still ongoing, saying around 11,000 dogs have already been vaccinated against rabies.
In order to prevent and mitigate rabies among the population, the government recently announced measures to prevent and control the rabies virus, and it is now strictly forbidden to leave animals, namely dogs, cats, and monkeys, in public places.
According to a government statement, it is also forbidden to transport animals, namely dogs, from the municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima, and RAEOA to other municipalities, whether by land, air, or sea.
The government also warns that failure to comply with the rules, and in the event of someone being bitten by dogs, cats, or monkeys, will result in the respective animal owners being held responsible.
Alongside the anti-rabies vaccination campaign that has been running in the country since january, the Ministry of Health, with the support of the World Health Organization, recently held a technical seminar for health professionals, focusing on dog bite management and rabies control.
The event also included a risk assessment of the rabies situation in Oe-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA), with the aim of evaluating the risks of spreading the disease and providing recommendations to interested parties.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
