October 8, 2021
BY PROBLYN J. ALPHA
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Kono District office has on Wednesday 29th September, 2021 with supports from partners, joined the world over to commemorate this year’s world Rabbis day on the theme; “Rabies fact, not fear”.
According to the Kono District Agriculture Officer, Lamin Mbogba, the world Rabbis day was instituted to create awareness on the impact of the viral disease and focus on ways of preventing it.
“It is the only global day of action and awareness for rabies control and prevention” He said.
Noting more than creating awareness, the date 28th September has been selected as it marks the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, a renowned French Chemist and microbiologist who, along with his team developed the first-ever effective vaccine for rabbis.
Lamin Mbogba further revealed that, rabies disease can be transferred to human through dog and cat bites with a slim possibility for the victim to survive the bite, adding that the Ministry of Agriculture has the responsibility in taking the lead to sensitize dogs and cats owners including the community about the rearing of the said domestic animals whom he said are prone to the disease.
Director Mbogba noted that, lack of awareness raising on the effect of dogs and cats bites have been major factors for the loss of both human and animals lives.
He therefore called on all dog and cat owners to go out with their animals for the volume five vaccinations at Kono District ventinary for free of cost.
Meanwhile in marking the world rabies day, the One Health platform on the 28th September, 2021 embarked on a symbolic vaccination of over ten thousand dogs and cats across Sierra Leone.