Narok: In an ambitious public health initiative, the Narok County government, in collaboration with Mara North Conservancy, has vaccinated over 600 dogs against rabies in Ilmotiok ward, Narok West Sub County. The drive aims to combat the spread of the deadly disease, which poses a significant threat to both animal and human life in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, Narok West Veterinary Officer Mathew Nchoko highlighted the urgency of the vaccination campaign, noting that rabies causes over 2,000 deaths annually in the country. Nchoko emphasized that the vaccination exercise was free and targeted over 70 percent of dogs in areas close to wildlife habitats, where the risk of rabies transmission is particularly high. “We want to control the disease before it spreads because it’s fatal and once a person is bitten by a sick dog, chances of survival are almost nil,’ he explained.
The county government has been actively working with various non-state actors to raise awareness about rabies. They are urgi
ng residents to seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a dog. Nchoko advised washing the wound with running water for at least 15 minutes before getting medical help. He stressed the preventability of rabies, asserting, “Rabies is 100 percent preventable but 99 percent fatal. This is why we are here to encourage dog owners to vaccinate their dogs to prevent rabies.”
Dr. Yegon Kibet from Farming System Kenya, also involved in the vaccination campaign, pointed out the common underestimation of rabies due to the delayed onset of symptoms in humans, which can take up to 14 days, and in dogs, which may not show signs for over a month. Kibet reiterated the economic impact of rabies, noting the high cost of treatment and its potential to affect other domestic animals. “The best way to keep off rabies is by annual vaccination that can cost a farmer less than Sh 200. Treating rabies is very expensive as it can cost a person over Sh 10, 000,” he added.
This vaccination drive in Ilmotiok ward is part of a broad
er effort to eradicate the threat of rabies in the region, safeguarding both the local community and its animals from this fatal disease.
