World Rabies Day is celebrated each September 28. It is an annually moment to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this horrifying disease. It is the first and only global day of action and awareness for rabies prevention. It is an opportunity to unite as a community and for individuals, NGOs and governments to connect and share their work. Several anti-rabies initiatives were organized around the world. Regarding Afrique One-ASPIRE, three initiatives were carried out in collaboration with some partners and projects.

Mass dog vaccination in east Africa

Ahmed Lugelo, PhD fellow within Afrique One-ASPIRE, was the coordinator of a mass dog vaccination and sensitization campaign in the Iseresere and Busawe villages in the Serengeti district, Tanzania. This activity was supported by the Rabies surveillance project in collaboration with Serengeti District Council and was a part of the ongoing effort to control rabies and sensitize the community about rabies. More than 750 persons including animal health workers, politician and communities, participated in the activity. Below, the number of animal vaccinated:

• In Iseresere, 17 cats and 269 dogs
• In Busawe, 10 cats and 200 dogs

To see pictures, click here ►http://afriqueoneaspire.org/galleries/mass-dog-vaccination-in-tanzania/ 

A radio broadcast in central Africa

The rabies research team in Chad, leads by Dr Monique Léchenne, Principal Investigator within Afrique One-ASPIRE and regional coordinator of the ‘projet Rage-Gavi’ was invited by the ‘Radio Nationale Tchadienne (RNT)’ to raise awareness among the public on the importance of the fight against rabies. The special broadcast called “Débat Actuel” is a one-and-a-half-hour life program with discussion among experts and a question-and-answer session for the public. Apart from Dr. Léchenne the participants in this broadcast were Service Kemdongarti Naissengar, head of the rabies laboratory at the ‘Institut de Recherche en Elevage pour le Developpement (IRED)’, Mr. Séraphin Alladoumngar Madjadinan, Afrique One-ASPIRE master student and rabies hotline agent at the ‘Centre de Support en Santé Internationale (CSSI)’ and Dr. Nadji, a private Veterinarian.

To listen the broadcast, click here ↓↓

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Sensitization campaign in west Africa

A sensitization campaign was organized in Tiassalé, Côte d’Ivoire. It was a privileged moment to inform and involve stakeholders in the fight against the rabies. More than 1000 participants including scientists, policy makers, traditional authorities and Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, the Ivorian minister of animal resources attended the event. Additionally, 20 teachers were also trained to sensitize children on rabies.

Vessaly Kallo, Afrique One-ASPIRE PhD fellow, was in the event organization committee. Some ivorian institutions such as the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, the ‘Institut National d’Hygiène Publique’, the ‘Direction des Services Vétérinaires’ and the ‘projet Rage-Gavi’ supported the event.

To see pictures, click here ► http://afriqueoneaspire.org/galleries/sensitization-campaign-on-rabies-in-cote-divoire/