Cambodia is ramping up its efforts to prevent the deadly spread of rabies with a mass vaccination campaign targeting dogs across Phnom Penh and the provinces of Kandal and Battambang. 

From October 21 to November 1, teams will provide free rabies vaccinations as part of an initiative to protect both humans and animals from the fatal disease. 

With approximately 600,000 people bitten by dogs every year in Cambodia, rabies continues to pose a serious public health threat, especially as the disease is always fatal once symptoms appear.

"It is a matter of concern and a priority both regionally and globally to ensure the health of humans and animals. This campaign aims to educate and inform the public to raise awareness and change attitudes effectively in response to the real situation and the urgent need to eradicate rabies in Cambodia, in line with the global goal of eliminating the disease by 2030," said Heng Morany, deputy director-general of the General Department of Animal Health and Production, during the launch of the campaign on October 14.

The department, in collaboration with Mission Rabies – a project by the UK-based Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) – and Animal Rescue Cambodia, is leading the effort.

The initiative is a key part of the country’s National Strategic Plan for Rabies Control and Elimination, with over 300 teams working tirelessly in communities. 

By vaccinating at least 70 per cent of the dog population, experts hope to achieve herd immunity, which is essential for halting the transmission of the disease.

"Vaccinating dogs is the most effective way to protect both human and animal lives from rabies," said Tan Phannara, director-general of the animal health department. 

He stressed the importance of the public’s cooperation in bringing their pets forward for vaccination.

“We ask all dog owners to cooperate with this project and receive free vaccinations for their dogs,” said Phannara. 

Last year’s campaign vaccinated nearly 75,000 dogs in Phnom Penh and Kandal, marking a significant step in rabies control. 

This year, the campaign aims to cover even more ground with the help of Cambodian and international volunteers, including veterinary students from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and the Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture (NIA). 

The campaign also integrates a free spaying and neutering service at RUA for dogs in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district during the same period.

WVS international project manager Amy Nicole Lewis highlighted the importance of vaccinating a large percentage of the dog population to stop the disease in its tracks.

"Rabies is 100 per cent preventable, but it requires widespread vaccination. We ask that dog owners ensure their pets are vaccinated, which will significantly reduce the risk of rabies spreading in our communities," said Lewis. 

Other key partners include the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and the Ministry of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Department (CDCD) for providing pre-exposure prophylaxis to volunteers, as well as the Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society (PPAWS) and Animal Rescue Cambodia (ARC) for delivering veterinary treatment to animals.

“As a partner with WVS on the mass dog vaccination campaign, the students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at NIA have gained knowledge and skills in organising vaccination campaigns and administering vaccinations for dogs in the city and communities,” said Lewis. 

In addition to vaccinations, the campaign includes educational outreach, with efforts to inform communities about the dangers of rabies, how to spot its symptoms in animals – such as aggression, excessive salivation and changes in behaviour – and the importance of reporting any suspected rabid animals to the authorities via the 115 hotline.

Mission Rabies, which aims to eliminate human deaths from rabies by 2030, has vaccinated over four million dogs worldwide and educated more than eight million children since its inception. 

In Cambodia, the 2024 campaign serves as a major step toward making rabies a thing of the past, ensuring safer communities for both people and their pets.

Following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, Mission Rabies runs mass canine vaccination and community education in the world’s worst hotspots for the disease. 

The group is currently running campaigns in Malawi, India, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Mozambique, Cambodia and Thailand. 

For further details about the vaccination campaign and the full schedule, the public can visit cambodia.missionrabies.com, and those interested in updates can join the Mission Rabies Cambodia Telegram channel at https://t.me/missionrabiescambodia.