Rabies continues to pose a serious threat to the Beninese population, particularly affecting children. Gaston Dossouhoui, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, reported on Thursday in Cotonou that there have been 20 fatalities linked to the disease from January to August 2024.
“This year alone, we have documented 1,194 cases of animal bites, resulting in the loss of 20 compatriots,” he stated at the launch of the inaugural Veterinary Days in Benin.
Since 2019, the Beninese government, with support from various partners, has been actively combating rabies through mass vaccination campaigns for pets, he added.
The first edition of Veterinary Days in Benin, themed “The Veterinarian: An Essential Health Agent at the Heart of the One Health Approach,” is being held from September 26 to 28.
