On the occasion of World Rabies Day, celebrated on September 28, Tunisia has set an ambitious goal to eliminate human rabies cases by 2030. The country's Director General of Veterinary Services, Dr. Wahib Mehri, reported a positive trend, with a 21-22% decrease in animal rabies cases compared to the previous period. This progress is attributed to ongoing efforts to control the spread of the disease.
Dr. Mehri emphasized that combating rabies requires a collective responsibility, extending beyond the Ministries of Agriculture and Health. He urged animal owners to regularly participate in vaccination campaigns, highlighting the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease. To support this effort, animal vaccination against rabies is available free of charge throughout the year at regional and local veterinary services.
In the event of an animal bite or scratch, veterinary services recommend immediate wound care, washing the affected area with soap and water for 15 minutes, followed by a visit to the nearest health center for adapted prevention protocols. Additionally, controlling stray dog populations is a crucial aspect of Tunisia's strategy to combat rabies. Dr. Mehri encouraged citizens to contribute to this effort by maintaining cleanliness in their environment and avoiding actions that may attract stray animals.
To raise awareness about rabies prevention, veterinary services have intensified their outreach efforts, organizing over 160 information points across different regions and conducting more than 220 interventions in primary schools. These initiatives focus on educating children about responsible behavior around animals and the significance of vaccination.
Dr. Mehri acknowledged that the issue of stray dogs has reached alarming levels, and delayed action has made it more challenging to control. He advocated for an approach that prioritizes animal welfare and involves associations and civil society in addressing the problem. This year, the national awareness campaign, themed "Together, stronger," aims to engage the public in rabies prevention efforts.
According to the awareness campaign materials, vaccination is available at 196 fixed centers nationwide throughout the year. The authorities' goal is to transition from reducing virus circulation to eliminating human cases by 2030. With sustained efforts and public cooperation, Tunisia aims to make significant progress in controlling and eventually eradicating rabies.
As part of the national strategy to combat rabies, the Ministry of Health has also developed a reinforced plan, focusing on dog vaccination, emergency response, and stray dog management. With a multi-faceted approach and continued public awareness, Tunisia is working towards a future with zero human rabies cases.
Key points
- Tunisia aims to eliminate human rabies cases by 2030.
- Animal vaccination against rabies is available free of charge throughout the year.
- The national awareness campaign encourages public cooperation in rabies prevention efforts.
