By George Mponda

Karonga, October 1, Mana: Karonga District Council Agriculture Office on Monday commemorated World Rabies Day with a call to work jointly and eliminate the disease.

Speaking during the commemoration ceremony, which was supported by the Centre for Community Empowerment Initiative at Kasoba Primary School in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu, Chief Agriculture Officer for Karonga District Council, Jessie Mwambongo said her office targets to vaccinate about 46,000 pets against rabies in the current financial year.

She said Rabies is a deadly disease, which has no cure, hence encouraging people to have their pets vaccinated because prevention is better than cure.

“We therefore appeal well-wishers to support us with logistics and vaccines so that we reach out to all areas and make the district rabies-free," Mwambongo said.

Director of Health Services for Karonga District Council, David Sibale said the district registered 49 dog bites with two deaths of victims in 2023.

"Rabies is a problem here in Karonga and it is a worrisome challenge. Late treatment-seeking behaviour is common among dog bite victims and I advise that such victims should report to the nearest veterinary offices and, thereafter to health facilities with urgency.

“Rabies Vaccine is expensive, hence we promote prevention measures other than treatment to minimise the cost of this burden," said Sibale.

Executive Director for Centre for Community Empowerment Initiative, Gilbert Banda said there is a need for enhanced Rabies awareness to prevent rabies-related deaths in the district.

The ceremony was held under the theme ‘Breaking Rabies Boundaries.’