The national celebration of World Rabies Day was held in Saint-Louis, Senegal, under the presidency of Minister Ousmane Diagne, who is in charge of livestock. The event was attended by various stakeholders, including veterinary and health services, local authorities, and community actors. The theme of this year's celebration was "Plus forts ensemble" or "Stronger together," emphasizing the need for collective action against the disease.
According to Minister Ousmane Diagne, rabies is a preventable disease that can be controlled through animal vaccination, rapid treatment of exposed individuals, and control of the animal source. He stressed that the fight against rabies must be a shared responsibility among all stakeholders. The minister's remarks highlight the importance of collaboration in achieving the goal of zero human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.
The epidemiological situation in the Saint-Louis region remains a concern, with 1,079 cases of dog and cat bites reported since 2021. Fifteen cases of animal rabies have been confirmed, and two human deaths have been recorded in the Podor department. Dr. Mouhamed Moustapha Sarr, Director of the Regional Livestock and Animal Production Service, emphasized the need for a collective effort to interrupt the transmission of the disease and prevent human deaths.
Between 2021 and 2025, veterinary services vaccinated 665 dogs against rabies and conducted operations to control stray dogs, with 1,352 animals targeted. Dr. Sarr called for a mobilization of all actors within the framework of the "One Health" approach, which links human health, animal health, and the environment. This approach aims to address the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Senegal, highlighted the significance of choosing Saint-Louis as the celebration venue. The region, particularly the Dagana department, is among the most affected areas. She emphasized the need for concerted action among authorities, veterinary services, health professionals, animal owners, and communities to combat the disease.
The celebration concluded with a call to action for animal owners, local authorities, and populations to take responsibility for dog vaccination, reporting suspected cases, and rapid consultation after bites. The event featured a free dog vaccination session, aiming to raise awareness and promote prevention. The stakeholders present at the event reiterated their commitment to working together to control the spread of rabies.
The World Rabies Day celebration in Senegal highlights the country's efforts to combat the disease and promote a collaborative approach to public health. With a focus on strengthening prevention and vaccination efforts, the event aimed to raise awareness and mobilize action against this deadly but preventable disease. The goal of zero human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030 remains a priority for the Senegalese authorities and their partners.
Key points
- The celebration of World Rabies Day in Saint-Louis, Senegal, called for strengthened prevention and vaccination efforts to achieve zero human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.
