Nairobi City County rolls out Dogs, Donkeys, anti-rabies vaccination exercise in Nairobi County

Nairobi, 23rd, February, 2022

Nairobi City County Directorate of Veterinary Services, this week commenced a Nine (9) day vaccination campaign against rabies in Kasarani, Embakasi East, Embakasi Central and Kibera Sub counties.

The campaign involves the mass vaccination of dogs, cats and donkeys against rabies as well as neutering of dogs and cats to control their breeding habits.

According to Dr. Daniel Karugu, Acting Director Vet Services, this exercise was necessitated by an incident which occurred on 20th January, 2022 in Kasarani where a dog suspected of having rabies bit a resident.

Said Dr. Karugu “The target for the campaign is to ensure 4,000 dogs, 500 cats and 500 donkeys are vaccinated against the deadly rabies virus.  Several animal welfare organizations such as Trap Neuter and Release Trust (TNR), Kenya Network for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies (KENDAT), Spay Sisters of United Kingdom, Kenya Society for Protection of Animals (KSPCA), Kenya Veterinary Association Women Branch, Kenya Small and Companion Animal Veterinary Association, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nairobi have lent their support to Nairobi City County to ensure a successful and seamless campaign and vaccination exercise. ”

Said Nairobi Governor, Ann Kananu, “Rabies is managed through vaccination which cuts the transmission cycle as well as neutering dogs and cats which limits their populations. Kamulu, Ruai and Utawala are amongst the estates that are known to have a high donkey population which the community relies on for domestic services like fetching water and transporting construction materials. Whereas rabies vaccination of dogs is compulsory in Nairobi City County, neutering is voluntary. I would like the residents of the respective areas singled out for the campaign to fully cooperate so that we can eradicate and minimize the effects of rabies in our community. Data from the World Health Organization estimates that one person dies from human rabies every nine minutes. It further states that 40 per cent of rabies victims are children under the age of 15 years.”

Poor rural communities are most affected by rabies because their dogs are left to roam freely in search of food. These dogs rarely receive veterinary care as such they are not likely to be vaccinated on time.

County Executive in charge of Food, Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs.  Lucia Mulwa, urged Nairobi residents who are yet to vaccinate their animals, to do so during the duration of the vaccination campaign in order to weed out the disease.  “On average Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis costs between Sh5,000 and Sh7,500. The Rabies virus attacks the brain, and once symptoms appear, it is 100% fatal. Symptoms include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis, and mental confusion followed by come and death within 14 days. Dog owners should be responsible for the care of their animals. They need to ensure that their dogs are well fed and are vaccinated promptly. It is cheaper to prevent Rabies by vaccinating dogs than treating human Rabies. Human rabies can be prevented by vaccinating at least 70 per cent of the dog population.”

The campaign schedule is as follows:

DATE	VENUE
From 19/02/2022 -ongoing	Muhuri Muchiri Stadium*
	Athi Market
	Kamulu
21/02/2022	Muhuri Muchiri Stadium*
	Stage 26
	King’oris
22/02/2022	Muhuri Muchiri Stadium*
	Chokaa
	St. Joseph Kamunyonge
24/02/2022	Kayole II Social Hall*
	Matopeni Car wash
	Mihango chief camp
25/02/2022	Kayole II Social Hall*
	Soweto Social Hall
	Embakassi Village Chief’s Camp
26/02/2022	Kayole II Social Hall*
	Kayole North Ward Offices
	Calvary Grounds
28/02/2022	Kibera DC Grounds*
	Karen Plains
	Hardy Shopping Centre
01/3/2022	Kibera DC Grounds
	Bus terminus near Showground
	Kuwinda
02/3/2022	Kibera DC Grounds
	Otiende Shopping Centre
	Dam, near Kenol.

Neutering will be done at Centre marked * while rabies vaccination will be in all Centres.

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