Bingerville, Apr 04, 2022 (AIP)- More than 500 people die of rabies each year from rabies in Ivory Coast, revealed Akaffou Casimir Éric, the special adviser to the Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, on Monday April 4, 2022, during the opening ceremony of the 6th International Course on Rabies Surveillance and Control organized at the ESIE in Bingerville.

“Rabies is endemic in our countries. In Côte d’Ivoire, recent studies have shown that more than 500 people die each year from rabies and the majority of its victims are children,” continued Mr. Akaffou.

This declaration is a desire to raise awareness and alarm States and actors in charge of animal health on the need for a common involvement of all for the eradication of this scourge, hence the importance of holding this training which takes place from April 4 to 15, 2022.

According to the Director General of the National Institute of Public Hygiene (INPH), Prof Bénié Bi Vroh Joseph, this picture is all the more sad when vaccines are available in the 34 branches throughout the country, including four in Abidjan. .

“If someone is bitten by a dog or other animal, the reflex is to wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and take him to the nearest health center,” advised Prof Bénié Bi, at the intention of the people.

Deputy Head of the National Reference Center for Rabies at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, Dr Perrine Parize welcomed the initiative and reassured the organization’s unwavering support for the initiators of these training courses.

Source: Agence Ivoirienne De Presse