The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has announced that it is stepping up its efforts to prevent the spread of rabies and manage stray dogs in various governorates. The Ministry's General Organization for Veterinary Services has formed working groups under the supervision of the veterinary medicine departments, in coordination with the Ministry of Local Development, governorates, and relevant authorities. These efforts aim to quickly respond to reports and deal with cases and areas that require intervention to protect public health and citizen safety.
According to Dr. Hamad Al-Aqnass, head of the General Organization for Veterinary Services, the organization's role and that of the veterinary medicine departments go beyond just vaccinating dogs against rabies or implementing sterilization programs. They also involve on-the-ground handling of reports and cases that require intervention through veterinary teams equipped with the necessary equipment and supplies, in coordination with the executive authorities in the governorates.
The Ministry's strategy for on-the-ground handling begins with the safe capture of dogs, followed by veterinary examination and evaluation. Based on this evaluation, the appropriate action is taken, including vaccination against rabies, sterilization, and release for cases that allow it according to the regulating controls. The strategy also involves dealing with aggressive or infertile cases that are found to pose a direct threat to citizens' lives and safety, in accordance with organized legislation and procedures, and principles of animal welfare.
Dr. Al-Aqnass emphasized that protecting citizens' lives and safety is a top priority, and working teams deal with reports and areas that require intervention according to the nature of each case and its on-the-ground evaluation. He stressed the continued coordination with the Ministry of Local Development, governorates, and relevant authorities to support rapid response and improve handling efficiency on the ground.
In line with the efforts to manage stray dogs, 12 shelter centers have been established in various governorates, including Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia, Dakahlia, Beni Suef, and Damietta. Additionally, 14 cars have been equipped to support on-the-ground handling efforts, including two cars at the headquarters of the General Organization for Veterinary Services, as well as equipped cars in the governorates.
The Ministry has also provided 200,000 doses of free rabies vaccine to support vaccination efforts in the governorates, in addition to equipping working teams with the necessary equipment and supplies for safe handling and capture of dogs. Arrangements are being made to provide additional quantities of equipment and necessary nets to enhance the teams' ability to move and respond to reports.
Dr. Al-Aqnass pointed out that the state's efforts in this file are based on integrating a set of axes, not just vaccination, including responding to reports, safe handling and veterinary evaluation, vaccination and sterilization, shelter centers, and dealing with cases that pose a direct threat, in addition to awareness and prevention of rabies, within the framework of coordination between the General Organization for Veterinary Services, veterinary medicine departments, the Ministry of Local Development, governorates, and relevant authorities.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation intensifies efforts to prevent the spread of rabies and manage stray dogs across the country through various measures, including vaccination, sterilization, and public awareness.
