The Pasteur Institute of Cambodia (IPC) has said it is stepping up its efforts to offer vaccination and counselling services for animal bite victims during the upcoming national election.
It confirmed that its rabies prevention centres in Phnom Penh and the provinces of Battambang and Kampong Cham, along with the IPC’s international vaccination centre, will be fully operational from July 22-24, from 7am to 11:30am.
Nuth Sambath, president of the Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, commented on the common practice of pet ownership in Cambodia.
However, he noted that this comes with potential health risks due to uncertainty about the animals’ and humans’ vaccination statuses.
Sambath voiced his concern over an increased risk of animal bites due to larger gatherings during the election season, which coincides with the rainy period.
“Aid services like this are beneficial,” Sambath praised the IPC initiative.
“They significantly contribute to public health. The IPC has been developing vaccines, including those for dogs and other animals, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health for a considerable time,” he said.
On social media recently, Mission Rabies revealed a successful cost-free rabies vaccination campaign for dogs across Phnom Penh.
The campaign, in collaboration with the General Department of Animal Health and Production and the Animal Rescue Cambodia, vaccinated nearly 75,000 dogs from May 22 to June 2.
Following the campaign, Mission Rabies committed to refining strategies and protecting human and animal health.
They plan to extend the free rabies vaccination programme for dogs to Kandal province, including its provincial town Takhmao and districts such as Kandal Stung, Muk Kampoul, Sa’ng and Kien Svay.
