Anti-Rabies Campaign:

Mass killing of Dogs, Cats in view

By Sirri NTONIFOR TANGWE

Pet-owners in South-West Region have been warned that unless they are able to present proof that their animals have been vaccinated against rabies, these animals will be shot dead after a December 8th deadline. The proof consists of a signed and stamped vaccination booklet and a red collar.

To this effect, a mass South-West Regional anti-rabies vaccination campaign was, on October 07th, launched in Kumba under the directives of the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr. Taiga. On that single day, over 600 dogs and cats were freely vaccinated against rabies. The scene at the Kumba Grandstand could only be described as chaotic with the presence of diverse breeds of dogs of all colours, all barking and baring their teeth at each other. MINEPIA personnel were on hand to provide a bath for dogs whose owners so desired. Only about 10 cats were presented for vaccination.

                The Regional Delegate of MINEPIA, Dr. Chaiwah Cecilia neé Mongo was also on the ground and adopted an active role in the proceedings. She provided a detailed lecture to pet-handlers present on the epidemiology of rabies, emphasising that rabies is a fatal disease whose best prevention is the annual vaccination of dogs, cats and monkeys. Dr. Chaiwah advised that the first line of action when bitten by a dog is to wash the affected spot thoroughly with unmedicated soap and lots of water, and then to proceed without delay to the general hospitals in Douala, Yaounde or Bafoussam for an anti-rabies serum.

                 Mrs. Chaiwah equally explained that rabies is endemic to South-West Region and fast becoming an outbreak with Meme Division taking the lead with the highest number of cases for 2014 – 21 rabid patients and 5 deaths. She strongly hinted that this was the reason why Kumba was designated as the launch point for the regional exercise. The Regional Delegate revealed that although the government has allocated 5 million FCFA for the fight against rabies in Meme and another 5 million FCFA for Limbe, this is largely insufficient considering the number of pets. Thus, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation has called on mayors to assist MINEPIA staff in their localities by providing vaccines against rabies. She applauded the mayors of Buea and Muyuka Sub-Divisions who have already donated vaccines, and called on all other mayors to follow suit so as to supplement the 3000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines already provided by the MINEPIA national boss.

                Representing the Governor of the South-West Region, the SDO for Meme, KoulboutAman David, lauded the gesture as he symbolically administered the first anti-rabies vaccine to a beautiful huge white dog.

                MINEPIA delegates from other divisions of South-West Region were also present at the launch and were dispatched back to their stations with instructions to speedily execute a door-to-door campaign to vaccinate all domestic pets within their jurisdiction before December. Pet-owners will, for the duration of the campaign, pay 2000 FCFA for the vaccination instead of the usual 5000 FCFA. After this period, unvaccinated pets will be destroyed as a measure to eradicate rabies in Cameroon. Therefore, if the number of cats present at the vaccination is anything to go by, cats may soon become a nearly extinct species in Kumba.