Sichuan Yingshan: Rabies Immunization Enters Communities to Strengthen County-Level Prevention Network

In order to effectively prevent the occurrence of rabies, advocate civilized dog ownership, and ensure the health and public safety of the people, on April 14, the Yingshan County Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center in Nanchong City, Sichuan Province, jointly launched a publicity campaign and free rabies vaccination drive for dogs and cats with the Suian Subdistrict Veterinary Station. The theme of the event was "Implementing Compulsory Rabies Immunization to Protect People's Health." During the event, many residents brought their dogs and cats to line up orderly for veterinary rabies vaccinations. The citizens were highly cooperative, and the site was well-organized.

It is understood that in April this year, the Suian Veterinary Station, together with community staff, delved into various residential communities in the jurisdiction to carry out publicity on rabies prevention and control knowledge and to conduct centralized immunization activities. At the scene, they registered immunization information for residents' dogs and cats, administered rabies vaccinations, and disseminated information on the dangers of rabies and key prevention measures to the public. Over 2,500 leaflets were distributed.

Deng Quan, the director of the Suian Veterinary Station, said, "Rabies is preventable and controllable but not curable. It poses a serious threat to human life and health. Vaccinating pets is the key to preventing rabies." The rabies vaccination campaign for dogs and cats in urban areas will be completed by the end of April. Pets that are unable to be vaccinated due to illness or pregnancy can be vaccinated later at designated locations when they are suitable for immunization. In May, random blood samples from some dogs and cats will be drawn for antibody monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the immunization. Animals with insufficient immune antibodies will be vaccinated again.

Li Xiangdong, the person in charge of the Yingshan County Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, said that the rabies vaccination for dogs and cats in the county is carried out in a combination of "concentrated immunization and supplementary immunization throughout the year." The immunization density for dogs in urban areas should not be lower than 95%, and for rural dogs, it should not be lower than 90%. The rate of dog leashing should reach 100%. If people are accidentally bitten by dogs or cats, they should immediately go to a regular hospital for professional wound treatment and receive human rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin. The goal is to ensure that no human rabies cases occur in the county and to build a harmonious living environment. (Guo Ming)