Mali Launches Nationwide Dog Vaccination Campaign Against Rabies

The Direction préfectorale de l’Agriculture et de l’Élevage de Mali officially launched the national dog vaccination campaign against rabies on November 7, 2026. The campaign aims to vaccinate domestic dogs, reduce the risk of disease transmission, and strengthen epidemiological surveillance. The event brought together administrative and communal authorities, the Direction préfectorale de la santé, technical services, partners, and representatives of civil society.

The director of the Direction préfectorale de l’Agriculture et de l’Élevage, Alpha Kabinet Kaba, expressed gratitude to all parties involved in organizing the campaign. He emphasized that rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans through bites or scratches and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Kaba highlighted that dog vaccination is the primary means of prevention and aligns with the government's goal to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.

The campaign focuses on mass vaccination of domestic dogs, reducing the risk of disease transmission, and educating owners about their role in preventing this zoonosis. Kaba also stressed the "One Health" approach, which advocates for close collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors. He advised that anyone bitten or scratched by a suspect animal should immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention.

Secretary General of the prefecture, Alhousseine Sow, stated that this operation is crucial for protecting public and animal health. He urged local authorities, community leaders, and dog owners to mobilize and ensure the campaign's success. Mountaga Souaré, vice-mayor of the urban commune of Mali, welcomed the initiative, recalling the campaign slogan: "Vaccinated dog, fewer problems."

The launch ceremony saw the official declaration of the dog vaccination campaign against rabies in the Mali prefecture. A total of 8400 doses of vaccine are available for the entire prefecture. The campaign aims to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.

Local authorities and stakeholders have expressed support for the campaign, recognizing its importance in preventing the spread of rabies. The collaboration between different sectors and the community is seen as essential for the campaign's success.

The vaccination campaign is part of a broader effort to control and eliminate rabies in Mali. By working together, authorities and stakeholders aim to protect both human and animal health and reduce the risks associated with this deadly disease.

Key points

• The campaign has 8400 doses of vaccine available for domestic dogs in the Mali prefecture.