World Rabies Day 2025: Kasulu Community Unites for a Rabies Free Future

Act Now: You, Me, the Community against rabies

Date: September 28, 2025

Location: Nyasha Ward, Kasulu

 Organizers: Kasulu Health Home Based Care Organization (KAHHOBACO) and Bafuruma Veterinary Clinic

Summary

On September 28, 2025, Kasulu Health Home Based Care Organization (KAHHOBACO), in partnership with Bafuruma Veterinary Clinic, commemorated World Rabies Day in Kasulu. The event emphasized the grave dangers of rabies and the critical importance of vaccinating dogs to safeguard both human and animal health.

Through community outreach, education, and vaccination campaigns, health and veterinary teams engaged residents, promoting responsible pet ownership and advancing the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

This collaborative effort demonstrated that partnerships between health and veterinary sectors are essential in preventing rabies and protecting public health.

Theme of the Day

The 2025 theme, “Act Now: You, Me, the Community”, highlighted the collective responsibility of residents, dog owners, and the wider community in rabies prevention.

Key messages shared included:

• Understanding rabies as a dangerous and often fatal disease.
• The importance of responsible pet ownership, including keeping dogs confined.
• Immediate medical action required after a rabid dog bite.

The initiative strengthened awareness of preventive measures and encouraged active participation in rabies control.

Campaign Activities

The vaccination drive in Nyasha Ward drew a large turnout of caring dog owners committed to protecting their pets and community.

Results:

• Dogs vaccinated: 100
• Dogs not vaccinated: Over 270

The high number of unvaccinated dogs underscores the urgent need for more vaccines to meet community demand.

Challenges

• Vaccine shortage: The number of vaccines available was insufficient compared to the dogs brought for vaccination.
• As a result, many dogs missed the opportunity to be vaccinated, leaving gaps in community protection.

Request We kindly call upon donors, sponsors, and partners worldwide to join us in sustaining rabies prevention efforts in Kasulu, Tanzania. The recent World Rabies Day campaign revealed both the community’s strong commitment to vaccinating dogs and the urgent challenge of limited vaccine supply.

Adequate vaccine provision is critical to:

·        Protecting both human and animal health from this deadly disease.

·        Expanding coverage to the hundreds of dogs that remain unvaccinated.

·        Strengthening community safety and advancing the global goal of a rabies-free future.

Your support whether through funding, vaccine donations, or partnership will empower Kasulu Health Home Based Care Organization (KAHHOBACO) and its collaborators to reach more dogs, save more lives, and demonstrate the power of collective action under the One Health approach.

Together, we can ensure that no child, family, or community suffers the preventable tragedy of rabies.

Acknowledgements

Kasulu Health Home Based Care Organization and Bafuruma Veterinary Clinic sincerely thank:

• The Kasulu District Director for their support and cooperation.
• The Livestock Department Team from Kasulu District Council for their collaboration in making this campaign a success.

Conclusion

Despite the challenge of limited vaccines, the campaign was a success, demonstrating the power of collaboration between organizations, government, and the community. With sustained efforts and adequate resources, we believe Tanzania can achieve a future free of rabies.