Côte d’Ivoire to vaccinate 10,000 animals against rabies

The government of Côte d’Ivoire will vaccinate 10,000 domestic animals against rabies in the city of Man from October 22 to 28, 2026.

Dady Séry Kpa, representing the Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, announced the campaign as part of a national effort to prevent rabies, a zoonotic disease. Veterinary teams will set up vaccination posts open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and also travel through neighborhoods to reach more people.

This initiative stems from an integrated rabies control plan adopted in 2018. The government of Côte d’Ivoire aims to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030. Officials believe vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population will effectively stop the spread of the disease. The national strategy focuses on animal vaccination, managing stray dog populations, community awareness, and providing medical care to people exposed to the disease.

As of October 2026, health authorities in Côte d’Ivoire recorded 45 human deaths from rabies this year. Prior efforts under this program have addressed over 140 rabies outbreaks, vaccinated more than 800,000 dogs, and provided free medical care to over 7,000 people.