Sudan’s Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Professor Ahmed Al Tigani Al Mansouri, has announced a new initiative to manufacture rabies vaccines locally, as part of a strategic plan aimed at eradicating the disease in Sudan.
Speaking at a workshop approving the national strategy to combat rabies, organised by the General Directorate of Animal Health and Epidemic Control in Port Sudan, the minister said the initiative was proposed by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development in cooperation with partner organisations.
According to Al Mansouri, the strategy targets vaccination of 70 percent of the dog population, alongside ensuring sufficient vaccine supplies. It also includes plans to establish a unified national registry to record rabies reports across all states, enabling improved monitoring and response.
The minister expressed deep concern that most rabies victims in Sudan are children, recounting several emotionally distressing cases that highlight the scale of the problem.
He stressed the importance of coordination between the ministry and health and veterinary authorities, as well as raising public awareness through community channels such as mosques and schools, to contain the spread of the disease.
Al Mansouri also underscored the need for immediate first aid in cases of animal bites, advising that wounds should be thoroughly washed with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. He said this step could mean the difference between life and death, followed by urgent transfer of the patient to hospital for further treatment.
The minister further warned of heightened risks in border states where wild animals are present, and cautioned against underestimating the dangers posed by domestic animals. He noted that infected animals may show behavioural changes and appear unusually calm, increasing the risk of rabies transmission to humans through saliva, whether by bites or physical contact.
