Atwima Nwabiagya North marks World Rabies Day with free anti-rabies vaccination

The Atwima Nwabiagya North District has marked World Rabies Day with a free anti-rabies vaccination exercise for dogs and other eligible animals.

The exercise, conducted by veterinary officers in selected communities, formed part of efforts to raise public awareness about rabies prevention and promote responsible pet ownership.

Pet owners were urged to ensure that their animals receive regular vaccinations and to seek immediate medical attention following any suspected exposure to rabies.

Speaking at the event, the District Director of Agriculture, Ms Grace Achiaa, said the exercise contributed to Ghana’s national goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 through increased vaccination coverage.

She said the exercise was also aimed at improving access to rabies vaccination for animal owners in targeted communities, encouraging annual vaccination of dogs and cats, and strengthening community participation in rabies prevention.

The District Veterinary Officer, Ms Akosua Ampofowaa, said the exercise was conducted at Asuofia, Asamang, Barekese and surrounding communities.

She said dogs, cats and monkeys were targeted, with particular emphasis on dogs because they remain the principal source of human rabies transmission.

According to her, the exercise targeted 200 animals, but 117 were vaccinated, representing 58.5 per cent of the target.

Data from the Atwima Nwabiagya North District Health Directorate indicated that 445 dog-bite cases were recorded between January 2022 and August 2026.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects mammals, including humans, and is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, most commonly through bites.

The vaccination exercise therefore served as an important preventive intervention to reduce the incidence of animal rabies and help prevent human deaths.

It also supports Ghana’s national objective of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 through increased vaccination coverage and public awareness.