NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Officials in the central Bolivia city of Cochabamba are reporting an increase in rabies this year. Canine-feline rabies cases doubled this year in Cochabamba compared to the same period in 2020 and four municipalities declared themselves in emergency.

Rabies
A canine suspected of being rabid that had been exhibiting signs of restlessness, and overall uncharacteristic aggressive behavior, which are two symptoms of rabies.
Image/CDC

Ingrid Álvarez, head of the rabies program of the Departmental Health Service (SEDES) said that in 2020 20 cases were reported and this year there are already 45 and four human deaths.

Álvarez indicated that in Tarata, Arbieto, Cliza and Sipe Sipe it was declared an emergency due to the number of cases of canine-feline rabies, which means that each of these municipalities must strengthen the preventive part and guarantee vaccination for pets and for people.

The head of the Epidemiology Unit of the Departmental Health Service (SEDES), Rubén Castillo, explained that the canine and feline population in the department exceeds 600,000.

He announced that this September 11, a massive campaign to vaccinate the animals would be carried out to complete or start vaccination schedules.

Meanwhile, Álvarez made a call to attention to the families of Cochabamba and asked the population to be more responsible and take their pet to be vaccinated in the Cercado health centers, and if it is in other municipalities, go to primary hospitals and centers where they have the rabies vaccine.


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