{
  "id": 8516375,
  "title": "Ghana begins free rabies vaccination for 25,000 pets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ghana-begins-free-rabies-vaccination-for-25-000-pets-8516375",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-19T18:28:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghana Business News",
    "slug": "ghana-business-news",
    "url": "https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2026/09/19/ghana-begins-free-rabies-vaccination-for-25000-pets/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana has launched a free rabies vaccination program for 25,000 dogs and cats in high-risk areas as part of its commitment to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, marking World Rabies Month 2026. The initiative, themed \"stronger together,\" was announced by the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, with Dr Emmanuel Allegye-Cudjoe, the Chief Veterinary Officer, signing the statement. Dr Allegye-Cudjoe stated that the vaccination would be free throughout September 2026, after which a fee would apply. Public education efforts will include schools, religious institutions, traditional and social media, and community engagements, with educational materials in local languages such as Twi, Ga, Ewe, and Hausa. Dr Allegye-Cudjoe urged all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats annually and report any animal bites immediately to the nearest health facility, as rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear but can be prevented through vaccination. Non-compliance may constitute an offense under local by-laws. The department called for support from MMDAs, civil society organizations, religious and traditional authorities, development partners, and the private sector, for vaccine supply, logistics, public education, and community mobilization activities.",
  "summary": "Ghana has begun free rabies vaccination for 25,000 dogs and cats in identified high-risk areas as part of efforts to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. The post Ghana begins free rabies vaccination for 25,000 pets appeared first on Ghana Business News .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Ghana begins free rabies vaccination for 25,000 pets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ghana-begins-free-rabies-vaccination-for-25-000-pets",
        "published": "2026-09-19T14:44:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}