Malawi acquires 240 000 doses of rabies vaccine

The Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development says it has acquired 240 000 doses of rabies vaccine for dogs to be used during the annual vaccination campaign month scheduled to take place next month.

Director of Department of Health and Livestock Development Dr. Bernard Chimera told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the country has about 600 000 catchable dogs and 80 percent of these dogs are expected to get vaccinated.

“It is very hard to vaccinate 100 percent of all catchable dogs because some dog owners believe that if their dogs become vaccinated, they will not be able to bark, hunt or mate,” he said.

He urged dog owners to get their dogs vaccinated when the vaccination campaign starts.

“It costs K1 000 (about $2.50) to get treatment for rabies in dogs while treatment for human beings costs about K50 000 [about $125],” said Chimera.

He said vaccination during the campaign month is free as opposed to other months where dog owners have to pay.

Chimera said rabies cases are common in areas that have a large number of stray dogs.