Egypt's General Authority for Veterinary Services has initiated a week-long campaign to vaccinate stray dogs against rabies free of charge across all governorates. The campaign, which began on November 1, 2026, aims to eliminate the disease by 2030. Veterinary directorates across the country will implement the campaign, with field teams working in coordination with relevant authorities to reach targeted areas.
The initiative includes public awareness activities to educate citizens about the risks of rabies, the importance of vaccination in preventing transmission, and how to interact safely with dogs. Citizens are encouraged to cooperate with veterinary vaccination teams, report suspected rabies cases and dog bites, and seek medical attention immediately at the nearest healthcare facility following an animal bite.
Egypt's national strategy aims to eliminate rabies by 2030, with a target of vaccinating 70 percent of the country's stray dog population. The authority has called on citizens to report suspected cases and dog bites through local veterinary directorates and units or by calling the veterinary services hotline at 19561.
The campaign builds on Egypt's broader efforts to manage its stray dog population through vaccination and sterilisation. In March, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that 16,311 stray dogs had been vaccinated and 1,660 sterilised since the beginning of 2026.
Egypt's rabies elimination strategy was developed in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2021. The strategy aims to eliminate human deaths caused by dog-mediated rabies by 2030 through mass dog vaccination, improved disease surveillance, public awareness, and access to preventive treatment.
Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through bites or scratches. The disease is virtually always fatal once clinical symptoms appear, although prompt treatment following exposure can prevent it. The WHO advises anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal to immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention.
The authority stressed that the hotline is intended for veterinary reporting and does not replace medical treatment. The campaign is part of Egypt's efforts to manage its stray dog population and eliminate rabies, a disease that can be prevented with prompt treatment and vaccination.
Key points
- Egypt aims to eliminate rabies by 2030 through mass dog vaccination and public awareness.
- The campaign targets vaccinating 70 percent of the country's stray dog population.
- Citizens can report suspected rabies cases and dog bites through local veterinary directorates and units or by calling the veterinary services hotline at 19561.
