Zambia
World Organisation for Animal Health donates 100,000 rabies vaccines to Zambia
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The Hon Minister, Mr Peter Kapala at the briefing handover with WOAH Delegation. Picture (c) Government of Zambia, 2025.
On 12 December 2025, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) donated 100,000 doses of rabies vaccine to the Government of Zambia to support national efforts to control and prevent rabies. The vaccine doses were donated WOAH Rabies Vaccine Bank with funding support from the Government of Germany through the One Health project (BMZ-OHRT) implemented by WOAH.
Dr. Moetapele Letshwenyo, Representative, WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa, officially handed over the vaccines to the Honourable Minister of Fisheries and Livestock of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Peter Kapala. The donation marks a significant boost to Zambia’s rabies control programme and is expected to strengthen mass dog vaccination efforts, which are critical for preventing rabies transmission to humans and animals.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Minister expressed appreciation to WOAH for its continued support, noting that rabies remains a serious public health concern in Zambia.
‘ This donation from WOAH is a powerful reminder that when we work together, we can achieve the global goal of Zero Rabies by 2030 ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies. The donation reaffirms the importance of international solidarity in addressing zoonotic diseases. These vaccine doses will strengthen our ongoing rabies control programmes and help protect vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas where the risk of exposure is higher.” – Hon. Mr Mr. Peter Kapala, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Zambia.
Zambia, with an estimated dog population of about 968,372, records approximately 25,000 dog-bite cases and around 50 human rabies-related deaths each year; far too many preventable deaths. In a country where livestock and domestic animals play a vital role in livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage, fighting rabies is not only essential; it is necessary.
Hon. Mr. Peter Kapala, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock of the Republic of Zambia
The Hon Minister, Mr Peter Kapala at the briefing handover with WOAH Delegation. Picture (c) Government of Zambia, 2025.
Dr. Moetapele Letshwenyo stated that the donation is consistent with global efforts to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies through prevention, immunisation, and close collaboration between the animal and public health sectors.
“Zambia has made notable progress in rabies control. In a significant milestone in the global fight against rabies, Zambia’s Official Control Programme for dog-mediated rabies received WOAH endorsement during the 90th General Session in May 2023. This endorsement reflects the country’s strong commitment to eliminating the disease through a well-planned and comprehensive health strategy”. – Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo, Representative, WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa
In 2022, WOAH donated 50,000 doses of rabies vaccine to support the Republic of Zambia’s rabies control programme, and WOAH is committed to continuously provide technical support to Members.
