By Chisomo Kambandanga

NKhata Bay, September 2, Mana: Mzuzu Agriculture Development Division (MZADD) through Nkhata-Bay District Agriculture Extension Coordinating Committee (DAECC) has launched a free mass rabies vaccination month campaign for the 2024/2025 season. 

The campaign is targeting at least 6,200 out of 8000 pets in the district.  

Speaking on Saturday during the launching of the initiative at Chintheche Community ground under Senior Chief Malanda in Nkhata Bay, Chief Agriculture Officer for MZADD, Francis Chilenga, said rabies remains a serious public health problem that needs serious attention from all quarters.

According to Chilenga, the targeted number represents almost 70 percent of the total pets’ population, which is recommended by the World Health Organization.

"So far this year, we have 183 suspected cases of rabies waiting for laboratory results. However, we ask for more players to help with procurement of the vaccine other than leaving such to government alone," he said.

Chilenga bemoaned low turn up in vaccination centres, which leads to more pets remaining unvaccinated subsequently causing expiry of the vaccine.

In his remarks, Nkhata Bay District Council secretariat official, Edgar Chihana applauded Center for Community Empowerment for supporting the council with procurement of the anti-rabies vaccine for the initiative.  

However, Chihana appealed to community leaders to spread the message about the significance of vaccinating their pets saying they are key stakeholders in such development activities.

One of the board members of Center for Community Empowerment, Marko Chiumia, expressed commitment to continue rendering support to government in diverse development whenever they have resources.

The launch was held under the theme, “Breaking Rabies Barriers" and Nkhata Bay District will be administering the free anti-rabies vaccine to pets in all centres until the end of September this year.