Egypt’s Agriculture Ministry steps up field efforts to prevent rabies

The General Organization for Veterinary Services, part of Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, is ramping up field efforts to combat rabies and manage stray dog populations. These initiatives aim to ensure a swift response to incidents, protecting public health and safety. Head of the Organization Hamed al-Aqnas explained that veterinary teams, furnished with appropriate gear and resources, collaborate with the Ministry of Local Development, local governments, and relevant authorities to manage reports and cases.

The response plan initiates with the safe capture of dogs, followed by veterinary examination and determination of suitable measures—such as rabies vaccination, sterilization, and release—based on the assessment. Aqnas stressed that aggressive animals, assessed to be a direct threat, are managed per governing regulations and animal welfare principles.

The authority prioritizes citizen safety, responding to reports and intervening in areas needing action, based on the unique circumstances and field evaluations. To support these field operations, 12 animal shelters have been established in various governorates, including Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia, Daqahliya, Beni Suef, and Damietta.

Additionally, 14 vehicles, including two at the Authority's headquarters, are equipped to assist in these efforts. Aqnas highlighted that 200,000 free rabies vaccine doses have been distributed across the country, and work teams have received essential equipment for safe dog capture and handling. He emphasized that Egypt's strategy is multifaceted, extending beyond vaccination alone, to include report handling, capture and assessment, vaccination and sterilization, sheltering, and managing high-risk cases.

This comprehensive approach also involves raising awareness and preventing rabies, through cooperation among the Authority, veterinary medicine directorates, the Ministry of Local Development, governorates, and other pertinent bodies.