By George Mponda

Karonga, August 16, Mana: Principal Animal Health and Livestock Development Officer for Karonga District Council, Michael Mapundi has called on stakeholders to assist with logistical support inorder to adminster rabies vaccine to pets in hard to reach areas.

Mapundi made the call on Friday while speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) amidst a free rabies vaccination campaign which was launched on July 24 in the district.

"The district launched a free rabies campaign from July to August after we got support from the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development of rabies vaccine and a local non governmental organisation based in Mzuzu called Centre for Community Empowerment Initiative (CCEI) with logistics and vaccine," Mapundi said.

"The campaign was launched in order to control the dangerous disease which can be transmitted from animals to people. During this period, we expect to vaccinate more than 21,000 pets. However, some of them are located in far off areas and we do not have the resources to reach there," he explained.

Mapundi cited places like Fuliwa, Nthawilo, Chisi, Chikutu, Gidi, Mphinga, Kayelekera, Ngana, Katili, Mphuwu, Njalayamoto, Chazale and those around Nyika National Park as being where logistical and allowances for officers will be needed.

On her part, Fitinah Mhango a Karonga resident from Malema one village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu advised authorities to consider vaccinating stray dogs.

"There are alot of stray dogs running around and these are not vaccinated during the campaigns. There should be deliberate efforts made to vaccinate them because they are the ones who pose the most risk to people since they are rarely vaccinated," Mhango said

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals usually through a bite. Animals most likely to spread rabies include dogs, bats and cats.

Meanwhile, Karonga district is currently vaccinating pets in all the Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) till August month end and all pet owners are being encouraged to go with their pets in all designated vaccination places.