WVS leads Asia’s largest rabies drive
"This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our incredible team." – Luke Gamble
UK-based charity Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) is celebrating the success of its Mission Rabies vaccination project in Cambodia, with 229,488 dogs vaccinated in just two weeks.
The intensive campaign, which WVS has led in collaboration with Animal Rescue Cambodia and the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, is Asia’s largest rabies vaccination effort.
WVS’ mass drive took place from 21 October to 4 November, integrating with Cambodia’s National Strategic Plan for Rabies Control and Elimination. It saw around 300 vaccination teams work across the provinces of Phnom Penh, Kandal and Battambang.
Vaccination teams travelled door-to-door to administer vaccines in designated areas. A rabies app was used to organise the teams, input information on the dogs and monitor the success of the project.
This year’s campaign follows work in 2023, where 74,983 dogs were vaccinated in Phnom Penh and Kandal – the first rabies vaccination campaign of this scale in Cambodia.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease which can affect both humans and dogs, with most cases spread by dog bites. Where post-exposure prophylaxis is not sought by the victim of a dog bite and clinical symptoms manifest, the disease is usually fatal. Children under 15 years of age are at most risk, accounting for 40 per cent of global deaths.
Mission Rabies has the goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of the global canine population – the coverage needed to eliminate the disease in dogs. Currently, Cambodia records one of the highest rabies death rates per capita of any country in the world.
WVS first started Mission Rabies in 2013, beginning work in Cambodia in 2019. The project began with a pilot vaccination campaign and an education programme.
Since then, its rabies hotline has allowed members of the public to report sightings of rabid dogs and seek support for rabies emergencies. WVS’ 24-hour surveillance team responds to reports and provides treatment to those exposed to rabies through dog bites.
Luke Gamble, CEO and founder of WVS, said: “When we launched Mission Rabies in 2013, our goal was ambitious – to vaccinate 60,000 dogs in 30 days. Many thought it couldn’t be done, but we managed 64,000.
“Ten years later, we’ve just completed our second year in Cambodia, where, remarkably, we vaccinated over 82,000 dogs by day four alone.
“This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our incredible team and a tribute to the veterinary profession, with vets and nurses from around the world pouring their energy into making a profound impact. It’s no exaggeration to say this campaign will prevent around 500 children from dying of rabies over the next few years.”
Image © WVS
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