Ghana launches mass rabies vaccination drive
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The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) in Ghana began a nationwide campaign in September to vaccinate 25,000 dogs and cats against rabies.
The program aims to protect people and animals in areas where rabies cases are frequently reported, including Greater Accra, Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West, Western, and Western North regions. Dr. Emmanuel Allegye-Cudjoe, the Chief Veterinary Officer, explained that vaccines are being distributed to all 16 regions of Ghana, with roughly 1,000 doses allocated to each.
The VSD is offering free or reduced-cost vaccinations throughout September, encouraging pet owners to visit veterinary centers annually to maintain protection. Officials emphasized that rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear in an animal or person, but preventable with consistent vaccination. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) support the initiative, recognizing rabies as a serious public health concern. They advocate for collaboration between veterinary, health, and community groups to strengthen prevention efforts.
In 2024, Ghana recorded 265 human deaths from rabies, and an estimated 59,000 people die from the disease each year, mostly children in Africa and Asia.
