In a strategic effort to safeguard public health and mitigate the economic impact of rabies in Blantyre City and beyond, Mission Rabies announces its tenth vaccination campaign targeted at the business community and their companion animals. Scheduled to commence on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, the campaign aims to provide comprehensive vaccination coverage for pets residing in Blantyre City, aligning with the city's business interests and welfare objectives. "This program signifies a crucial initiative in ensuring the well-being of both Blantyre City residents and their cherished companions," stated Mission Rabies in a press release. Highlighting the severity of the issue, Mission Rabies emphasized the threat posed by rabies to human health and its potential economic repercussions. "Rabies presents a 100 percent fatality rate once symptoms manifest, posing a persistent risk to public health and economic stability. Targeting the primary source of transmission, namely dogs, is imperative in achieving disease control and mitigating its adverse impacts," the statement read. With a focus on achieving herd immunity, Mission Rabies underscored the significance of reaching a vaccination coverage threshold of 70 percent among dogs in the city. This milestone, according to Inga McDermott, the Country Director for Mission Rabies, is instrumental in effectively neutralizing the threat of rabies transmission within the community. "To facilitate seamless access to vaccination services, strategic vaccination clinics will be established across the city, ensuring convenience for pet owners and optimizing vaccination uptake," McDermott affirmed. Collaborating closely with the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Mission Rabies aims to leverage synergies and operational expertise to execute the vaccination campaign efficiently. Building upon previous successes, Mission Rabies highlighted its past achievements, including the vaccination of 23,417 dogs, educational outreach to 230,000 school children, and the investigation of 591 reported dog bite cases in 2023. In urging community participation, Mission Rabies emphasized the importance of prompt reporting of dog bite incidents, enabling swift follow-up actions and effective surveillance measures to contain potential rabies outbreaks. Recognizing the significance of early detection, Mission Rabies provided guidance on identifying common symptoms of rabies in dogs, including aggression, excessive salivation, impaired mobility, and changes in vocalization patterns.