ZAMBIA RECORDS 37 OUTBREAKS OF RABIES BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2023

he Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has disclosed that the country recorded a total of 37 rabies outbreaks between January and July 2023 out of which a child died from suspected rabies.

Addressing the media in Lusaka this morning, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Makozo Chikote said the country has in the last eight months recorded unprecedented increases in the number of rabies and anthrax which he attributed to low numbers of people that are presenting their dogs and cats for vaccination against rabies as per requirement by law.

Mr. Chikote said to respond to these outbreaks, government has procured 50, 000 doses of anthrax vaccine and spent over K4 million in implementing rabies control measures countrywide.

He has since appealed to livestock and pet owners to vaccinate their animals annually to protect them against these diseases which will help in protecting human life.