Morocco Reports Significant Drop in Rabies Cases, Health Ministry Says

The Ministry of Health has reviewed the evolution of this pathology, on the occasion of the World Rabies Day, celebrated on September 28 each year. The trend observed in the progression of the disease today is the result of the efforts made by the ministry through the National Rabies Control Program (PNCR) launched in 1986. According to a press release from the department of Khalid Ait Taleb, this program will have allowed an average of 65,000 people per year to benefit from prophylaxis following exposure to a suspected animal.

Effective control of rabies also involves the vaccination of domestic dogs, the ministry notes, also stressing that the remarkable decrease in the infection rate is made possible by the reduction in the number of stray dogs. The ministry has undertaken several actions aimed at further combating this deadly disease. This is the case of a partnership agreement which, according to the same source, makes it possible to bring prevention services closer to citizens, while allowing them to have access to appropriate health centers. The same agreement takes into account the revision of the preventive treatment procedure and the training of professionals in the field.

The minister and his collaborators are also trying to raise awareness among the population, especially children. Through the slogan "Let’s finish with rabies: let’s collaborate and vaccinate", retained as part of the celebration of this World Rabies Day, several awareness-raising messages are delivered, particularly to children. They are advised not to play with unknown animals, even if they appear gentle. They will also have to report any contact, bite or scratch by an unknown or suspicious animal. In addition, the vaccination of domestic dogs is imperative.

Each year, rabies causes tens of thousands of deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).