Rabies cases are down

Rabies kills up to 26 people and 300 animals annually in the country but recent efforts to eliminate the disease have shown promising results with a decline in rabies cases reported. The World Organisation for Animal Health's (OIE) sub-regional seminar on rabies for SADC this week held a meeting in Windhoek. Speaking at the seminar agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb said globally, rabies kills more than 60 000 people annually of which the majority are from Asia and Africa. In Namibia rabies remains one of the most common animal diseases causing the deaths of between 6 to 26 people and over 300 animals per year, according to !Naruseb. “Once symptoms of rabies occur in either humans or animals, death is certain.”However !Naruseb said the disease is 100% preventable through prompt medical care. “It is therefore imperative to put more efforts towards preventative measures in the fight against this deadly disease.”He said it is well-known that the most common cause of rabies in humans results from dogs that are infected by the disease and it is therefore prudent to ensure that rabies control in dogs are intensified. State veterinarians offer rabies vaccinations for free. Through financial and technical support from the German government and its cooperating partners, Namibia implemented the project 'Elimination of dog-mediated human rabies', which commenced in March 2016 in the northern communal areas. The project focussed on the mass vaccination of pets against rabies, intensified rabies education in the communities and schools and stakeholder consultations, as well as intensified rabies surveillance.It also assessed the community's knowledge, attitudes and practices on rabies.According to !Naruseb the project has seen a major improvement in vaccination coverage of pets, while rabies cases have also significantly declined.During the vaccination campaign in Namibia 110 352 dogs and cats were vaccinated during the first 12 months representing a 45% increase from the baseline vaccination figures of 60 255 dogs and cats of which cats make up only 9%.This achievement immediately attributes the success to the reduction of rabies among animals in the NCA. From 2016 the cases decreased from 176, of which 96 were dogs, to 129 rabies cases recorded last year in animals, of which 56 were dogs. There was also a reduction from 14 cases of rabies in people reported in 2016 to eight in 2017.According to !Naruseb the efforts to eliminate rabies have taught Namibia important lessons which include that the dog population in regions has been greatly underestimated over the years. “People need their dogs for various reasons, hunting, guarding and most importunely for their peace of mind.” He added that dog meat is also an important source of dietary protein in some northern regions. “One must tirelessly and relentlessly go after each dog to deliver the vaccine to the dog and ensure that it is in fact delivered. There are no shortcuts. Rabies is the enemy, not the dog or the black-backed jackal, and therefore there is no need to kill a single dog in the name of controlling this disease.”!Naruseb added that with the guidance of OIE, Namibia has been able to achieve commendable disease statuses for a number of diseases. He said currently Namibia enjoys foot-and-mouth disease freedom without vaccination south of the veterinary cordon fence, Lung sickness (CBPP) freedom south of the red line as well as Peste des petits ruminants (known as PPR or sheep and goat plague) freedom south of the VCF. Namibia also has a negligible risk status for “mad cow disease” (BSE) while the country has endorsed a foot-and-mouth disease control programme as well as one for lung sickness.According to !Naruseb the above-mentioned disease statuses has enabled Namibia to acquire lucrative markets for animals and animal products in places like the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, USA, Russia, China, Hong Kong and South Africa, to mention but a few. Dr Andreanatus Maseke, the chief veterinary officer in the agricultural ministry delivered !Naruseb's speech on his behalf. ELLANIE SMIT

Rabies cases are down

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-13

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Rabies cases are down

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-13

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