WORLD RABIES DAY CELEBRATION

28TH SEPTEMBER 2014

INTRODUCTION

World Rabies Day is an international awareness campaign held annually on September 28 th every year and coordinated by Global Alliance for Rabies Control. The day is designated to mark the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur who developed the first Rabies vaccine. World Rabies Day events were first officially held in 2007 with the aim of raising awareness about the public health impact of Rabies on humans and animals. The theme for 2014 World Rabies Day was ‘Together against Rabies’.

In Uganda, the World Rabies Day activities took place in Koro Sub-County, Gulu District, and were organized organized by The Big Fix Uganda in partnership with the office of the Gulu District Veterinary Officer, Uganda Veterinary Association, MTK Uganda, CoVAB - Makerere University, Gulu local government and Mulago Medical School.

A press release issued by Uganda’s Minister of State for Animal Industry on the occasion of this year’s World Rabies Day stated that, ‘in Uganda, the coverage of vaccination of dogs is still low and where the population of uncontrolled (stray) dogs is high, the risk of contracting Rabies is very high’.

Records compiled in 2012 indicated an average of about 8,500 cases of Rabies reported each year in Uganda. As of 2004, Uganda ranked number 10 among the countries in the world with the highest number of rabies deaths, with a total of 105 confirmed deaths recorded between 1995-2004. (It should be noted that the actual number of cases, including those which are not reported, is much higher.) The majority of deaths caused by Rabies were in the age group of 5-9 year old children, followed by children 10-14 years of age.

A report from the Ministry of Health of Uganda shows that Gulu is among the most affected districts in Uganda with very high reported cases of dog bites. Between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013, the number of reported dog bites was 1,079 and from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014, the number increased to 1,166. This data indicates a very serious public health concern. The amount of money spent on post exposure prophylaxis for Rabies is far greater than taking preventative action against this fatal disease by vaccinating domestic dogs and cats against Rabies.

ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT FOR 2014 WORLD RABIES DAY

Responding to the overwhelming demand for Rabies vaccinations in Amuru District, The Big Fix Uganda held field clinics in September 2014 as part of World Rabies Day. In total, 614 dogs and cats in Amuru District were vaccinated.

In collaboration with students from the College of Veterinary Medine, Animal Recources and Bio-Security (CoVAB), Makarere University, The Big Fix Uganda team also visited two schools in Koro Sub-County, Gulu District to educate students and teachers about Rabies prevention.

On World Rabies Day, The Big Fix Uganda held a massive free clinic at Koro Sub-County Headquarters, where 463 dogs and cats were vaccinated and 27 spay/neuter surgeries were performed over 4 hours. Nearly 100 additional dog/cat guardians committed to bringing their animals on another occasion for sterilization surgeries.

A full day of program activities occurred in commemoration of World Rabies Day at the Koro Sub-County Headquarters following completion of the free clinic. Refreshments and entertainment were provided in a large tented area and speeches were given by the many dignitaries present including: LC1 of Loro Kal Parish, President of The Big Fix Uganda, student leaders from CoVAB – Makarere University, student leader from Mulago Medical School at Makarere University, Gulu District Education Officer, Gulu District Veterinary Officer, Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA), Gulu District Secretary for Production, Gulu, UVA President, and The Gulu District Chairman (LC5) who was the guest of honor. The program emcee was Dr. Wilfred Opira of The Big Fix Uganda.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the Guest of Honor (Gulu District Chairman – LC5) awarded rabies vaccination certificates to all dog guardians.

PHOTOS

School outreach

Vaccination Clinics

Surgical Clinics

A line dogs waiting for surgery

Master of Ceremony (Dr. Wilfred)

Speech by LC1 Kal Parish, Koro Sub-county

Speech by President, The Big Fix Uganda (Dr. Robert)

Speech by Student leader, CoVAB, Makerere University

Speech by Student leader, Medical School, Mulago, Makerere University

Speech by Inspector of Schools on behalf of DEO Gulu

Speech by DVO, Gulu

Speech by Chief Executive Officer, UVA

Speech by Secretary for Production, Gulu

Speech by UVA President

Speech by the District Chairman LCV (Guest of Honor)

Award of Vaccination Certificates by the Guest of Honor

Dr. Wilfred handing over Rabies posters designed by The Big Fix Uganda to Secretary of Production to help in educating local community

Dr. Wilfred and Mr. Remmy with Students who were hosted by The Big Fix for school outreach

Time for entertainment by Gulu local artist (Mr. Onencan Kabaka) and queen dancers: Big Fix Members joining the dance floor