The Fès-Meknes Regional Health and Social Protection Directorate, along with other regions of the Kingdom, commemorates World Rabies Day, which falls on September 28th each year.
This annual event is part of global efforts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, aiming to eradicate rabies by 2030 in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Rabies is a deadly disease that leads to death, with one fatality reported every nine minutes worldwide. Once clinical symptoms appear following a bite, scratch, or lick from an infected animal, the disease becomes fatal without urgent medical intervention.
However, early and effective prevention can save lives.
In Morocco, approximately 80,000 people are exposed to rabies annually due to bites or scratches from infected animals. Despite these alarming figures, fatalities can be prevented if the patient receives timely treatment, including vaccination.
This initiative aligns with the global strategic plan to eliminate rabies, implemented by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with various partners across all regions of the Kingdom.
To mark this year’s World Rabies Day under the theme “Rabies is a Fatal Disease,” the Fès-Meknes Directorate aims to strengthen its efforts by coordinating with partners to:
- Activate the regional committees to combat rabies.
- Organize awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of rabies and prevention methods.
- Collaborate with community organizations, including the Association of Friends of Emergency Services in Fès-Meknes.
As part of these initiatives, the Directorate will hold workshops and training sessions for medical, nursing, administrative, and technical staff to raise awareness of rabies risks and prevention methods.
Moreover, it will work closely with media outlets to launch awareness campaigns and publish articles aimed at increasing public awareness of this deadly disease.
For further information on rabies, please contact Mr. Wali Alami Mohammed, head of the Rabies Control Program at the Fès Prefecture, at +212 702073782.
source : fesnews media