The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has handed over 1,020 rabies vaccines to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Chongwe District to strengthen the ongoing mass dog vaccination campaign.
The vaccination, which is running from January 14th to March 4th, follows a confirmed rabies outbreak in the district and an increase in vaccine demand due to overwhelming community participation.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, ZNPHI Senior Health Officer, Ricky Chazya, urged dog owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated annually and also to avoid letting their dogs loose to avoid attacks on members of the community.
“Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. However, it can be prevented through responsible dog ownership, routine vaccination, and timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after a bite,” he said.
Chongwe Municipal Authority District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator, Francis Mwanza, thanked ZNPHI for the support, noting that the district has a large dog population.
Dr Mwanza also appealed to the private sector to support the campaign and assist the community.
He urged members of the community to take advantage of the exercise to ensure their dogs are vaccinated, adding that the campaign aims to curb further transmission of rabies and safeguard public health.
And, Lusaka Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) Representative, Sandra Gilson, has advised pet owners to use alternative measures such as castration to reduce rapid multiplication of dogs and improve overall animal health.
According to the Zambia National Public Health Institute, in 2025, Zambia recorded 45 suspected animal rabies cases, of which 36 were confirmed positive and one human rabies case was also confirmed.
The Ministry of Health also recorded over 30,000 dog bite cases and 43 suspected human rabies cases, four of which were laboratory confirmed.
This year so far, 2,874 dog bite cases, three animal rabies cases, and three suspected human rabies cases have been reported nationwide.
