Lesotho: Rehabilitating veterinary facilities to prevent rabies in dogs

Maseru (Lesotho) September 2016

The access to quality veterinary facilities is essential for efficient rabies control in affected countries. It contributes to managing dog populations, carrying out dog vaccinations and raising awareness on the disease among dog owners.

In countries where rabies is still present, mass dog vaccination campaigns are the most cost-effective way to control the disease. Indeed by vaccinating 70% of dogs in at-risk areas, rabies could be eradicated.

In 2016, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) funded the refurbishment of a government veterinary clinic and kennels in Lesotho in order to help them implement their vaccination campaigns.

To escalate support to its Member Countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), WOAH will hand over another refurbished facility in Maputo (Mozambique) on World Rabies Day 2017.