Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, through the General Organization for Veterinary Services, is stepping up its field efforts to prevent rabies and manage stray dogs in provinces. The move is in line with directives from Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk to enhance preventive measures and field operations against rabies. The ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of Local Development, provinces, and concerned authorities to quickly respond to reports and manage cases.
The General Organization for Veterinary Services is not only focusing on vaccinating dogs against rabies and implementing sterilization programs but also dealing with field reports and cases requiring intervention. This is done through veterinary teams equipped with necessary equipment and in coordination with provincial executive authorities. The organization's head, Dr. Hamed Al-Aqnass, explained that the field response plan starts with safe dog handling, veterinary examination, and evaluation.
Based on the evaluation, the appropriate action is taken, including vaccination against rabies, sterilization, and release for cases that allow it according to regulations. The organization also handles aggressive or infertile cases that pose a direct threat to citizens' lives and safety. Al-Aqnass emphasized that protecting citizens' lives and safety is a top priority, and response teams deal with reports and areas requiring intervention based on the nature of each case and its field evaluation.
The organization has established 12 shelter centers in several provinces, including Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, and others. It has also prepared 14 cars to support field response efforts, including two at the organization's headquarters and equipped cars in provinces. Additionally, 200,000 free rabies vaccine doses have been provided to support vaccination efforts in provinces.
The organization's efforts are part of a broader approach that includes responding to reports, safe handling and veterinary evaluation, vaccination, sterilization, shelter centers, and dealing with dangerous cases. This approach is based on the "One Health" concept, integrating human, animal, and environmental health. Al-Aqnass stressed that the state aims to prevent rabies and protect public health and safety through these integrated efforts.
The Agriculture Ministry's approach involves several axes, including vaccination, report response, safe handling, veterinary evaluation, sterilization, and shelter centers. The ministry is coordinating with provinces and concerned authorities to ensure a comprehensive response to the issue of stray dogs and rabies prevention. The efforts aim to protect public health and safety while also considering animal welfare.
The General Organization for Veterinary Services will continue to monitor the situation in provinces and prioritize reports and cases requiring intervention. The organization is committed to its field presence and response to reports, in line with the "One Health" approach and the state's goal of preventing rabies and protecting public health and safety.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation is providing 200,000 free rabies vaccine doses to support vaccination efforts in provinces.
- The ministry is coordinating with provinces and concerned authorities to quickly respond to reports and manage cases of stray dogs and rabies prevention.
- The efforts aim to protect public health and safety while also considering animal welfare.
