Besides vaccination and treatment, residents were sensitised about animal welfare, birth control among dogs and other diseases affecting animals.
At least 600 dogs have been vaccinated and treated for free in Iganga District as part of efforts to control rabies and prevent deaths caused by dog bites.
The exercise, organised by Bam Animal Clinic, a non-governmental organisation, was held on Wednesday in Iganga town ahead of World Rabies Day, which will be commemorated next week. The national celebrations are scheduled to take place in Luweero District.
David Balondemu, the founder and executive director of Bam Animal Clinic, said the health camp was organised in partnership with the organisation’s international partners and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
He said the initiative followed growing public concern over cases of rabies and human deaths resulting from dog bites.
“There has been public concern about rabies, yet vaccination is still low. That is why we brought this camp to vaccinate and treat dogs free of charge,” Balondemu said.
He said the organisation’s goal is to contribute to efforts to eliminate human deaths from rabies by 2030.
Besides vaccination and treatment, residents were sensitised about animal welfare, birth control among dogs and other diseases affecting animals.
“We are here for rabies, but we are also educating the community about parvovirus, a disease which is rampant and causing the death of many young dogs,” Balondemu said.
He said several dogs had died from parvovirus and urged residents to report suspected cases to veterinary authorities for appropriate intervention.
Some residents who brought their dogs to the camp said they had struggled to access rabies vaccines because of limited availability.
James Mutebe, a resident of Kasokoso Village in Iganga Municipality, welcomed the initiative, saying he had been unable to get treatment for his dog after it developed symptoms associated with rabies.
“My dog was looking sick, foaming at the mouth and had become aggressive. They told me it had rabies, but I had failed to have it treated,” Mutebe said.
Swaibu Bagalalina, a resident of Nakalama Village, asked the organisers to conduct routine vaccination campaigns in the area.
“My young dogs are two months old and had not been vaccinated. I thank Bam Animal Clinic for helping me, and I appeal to them to come back,” he said.
Residents also said the supply of rabies vaccines in the district was inadequate compared with the growing number of dogs, and appealed to the Government to increase the availability of vaccines and veterinary services.
