Bhutan has become the world’s first country to sterilize and vaccinate its entire stray dog population, marking the completion of a 14-year dog population control project. The initiative was declared a success by Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering.
Humane Society International’s Efforts
The program was implemented with the support of the global animal charity Humane Society International (HSI), which made the announcement. The project successfully sterilized and vaccinated more than 150,000 stray dogs since its launch in 2009, along with microchipping 32,000 pet dogs.
Addressing the Stray Dog Challenge
Stray dogs across Asia, estimated at approximately 300 million, face various challenges, including starvation, parasitic infections, untreated diseases, road traffic accidents, and transmissible cancers. These dogs are often subjected to persecution and inhumane culling.
The Prime Minister’s Statement
Prime Minister Lotay Tshering emphasized the significance of the achievement and acknowledged the role of thousands of de-suups (community volunteers) in making it possible. He stated that the accomplishment was a historic milestone, not only for Bhutan but also globally.
Preventing Rabies Spread
Effective sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs are crucial for preventing an increase in the stray dog population, which can lead to more dog bites and the spread of rabies. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that rabies causes around 59,000 human deaths annually, with most cases resulting from dog bites.
Governments in Asia often resort to inhumane methods of managing street dogs, such as culling and mass sheltering. The successful implementation of humane population control measures can help reduce rabies transmission.
UN Recommendations on Oral Rabies Vaccination
United Nations organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), WHO, and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), have recommended the use of oral vaccination for dogs against rabies. Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) offers a more effective approach for targeted elimination efforts, particularly among regional wildlife populations.
Challenges of Traditional Vaccination
The traditional injectable vaccines used for mass dog vaccinations face challenges, especially in reaching dog populations in middle- and low-income countries in Africa and Asia.
Benefits of ORV
ORV, when integrated into national strategies for rabies control, can enhance the effectiveness of vaccination efforts. The UN recommends combining ORV with injectable vaccines to target free-roaming and poorly supervised dogs.
Customized Approach
The new recommendations take into account each country’s specific circumstances, such as resource capacity and socio-cultural aspects, allowing for the customization of ORV programs. By adopting these recommendations, countries can strengthen their dog rabies control programs and work towards the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.