DILI, 10 July 2025 (TATOLI) – Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz said there is enough supply of rabies vaccines for animals across the country, especially dogs and cats.
The announcement comes amid a shortage of human rabies vaccines at the National Institute of Pharmacy and Medical Products, which has led the National Hospital Guido Valadares to restrict the use of those vaccines to emergency cases only.
Minister Marcos da Cruz said that the country currently has 100,000 doses of rabies vaccine for animals.
He urged pet owners to take their dogs and cats to local veterinary centers to get vaccinated free of charge.
“Our veterinary teams are already working in the border areas of Bobonaro, Covalima, and Oé-Cusse, as well as in Dili,” Minister Cruz said. “We ask the public to cooperate and contact the National Directorate of Veterinary Services to request vaccination.”
The Minister also addressed a viral post on social media claiming that 12 rabid dogs were roaming freely in Aileu, saying the information is false.
Since January, the Directorate of Veterinary Services has vaccinated 1,575 dogs in the municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, Ermera, Liquiçá, and Oé-Cusse.
Since last year, authorities have reported 103 rabies cases in dogs, including 56 in Bobonaro, 34 in Oé-Cusse, and 13 in Covalima.
Journalist: Ivonia da Silva
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
Translation: Camilio de Sousa
