The Importance of Rabies Vaccination in Castilla y León and Its Impact on Public Health

The College of Veterinarians of Valladolid reiterated, on the occasion of World Rabies Day, which is celebrated this Thursday, that vaccination against this zoonosis is mandatory in Castilla y León for all dogs, on an annual basis, and that Compliance with health regulations for pets is part of “responsible ownership” by their owners and basic for public health, as reported in a statement collected by Ical.

This year, the motto of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the commemoration is ‘One for all, and one health for all’, and refers to the need to continue making an effort to prevent and control this viral disease from the One Health approach. In fact, it causes around 60,000 deaths annually in the most disadvantaged areas of the planet, caused by the bite of infected dogs and the lack of specific treatments for people due to a shortage of health resources.

Although rabies has been eradicated in Spain since 1978, a health status achieved after a coordinated and maintained fight program in which the vaccination of dogs, their identification and census, together with the control of strays and vagrants and the quarantine of aggressors , bore fruit, “it is necessary to maintain control and vigilance.”

According to the president of the College, Rufino Álamo, this situation “may be compromised by the presence of the disease in North Africa and the arrival of dogs without health control, which has been the cause of the latest cases in Spain and in other countries.” European countries”. For this reason, he decided to “strengthen surveillance and insist on the usefulness of vaccination.”

A duty for the owners

“In Castilla y León, annual vaccination is mandatory and must be considered a duty of the owners within the concept of responsible ownership, as well as identification and deworming, correct nutrition, exercise and accommodation,” Álamo recalled.

In this sense, the representative of the veterinarians of Valladolid insisted that “protecting the health of animals, both production and companion animals, is protecting our own health and caring for the environment, within the One Health model.” «Relaxing habits increases the risk that zoonoses such as rabies could re-emerge in Spain. Complying with health regulations and having the animals correctly identified by microchip, with the cards on the day, is essential,” he concluded.

2023-09-28 07:11:55
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