Campaign to combat peste des petits ruminants and canine rabies

Kongo Central, May 3^rd, 2025 (CPA) – The campaign to combat peste des petits ruminants and dog rabies in Kongo Central, in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was launched on Friday in Matadi by the national Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, in the presence of the provincial governor and several provincial authorities. ‘We have brought 5,000 doses of vaccine against plague of small ruminants and 48 doses against canine rabies. We are asking the population to cooperate by opening up their farms, livestock farms, health Centers and schools to the vaccination teams, so that we can bring this operation to a successful conclusion’, said Jean-Pierre Tshimanga, the national Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, adding that the dual vaccination mission consists, in particular, of preventing disease by vaccinating and curing it by administering antibiotics and deworming. Minister Tshimanga also presented the provincial governor with a Land Cruiser vehicle and seven motorbikes to help deliver the vaccines to the various territories of Kongo Central province. The Governor of Kongo Central, Grâce Nkwanga Bilolo, stressed the importance of animal health in the provincial government’s programme. He praised the vaccination projects initiated by the central government, while expressing the hope that all the territories of Kongo Central would be included in this campaign.   The head of the provincial executive also called on all those involved in the campaign to carry out their tasks in a spirit of patriotism, and urged the population to take an active part in the campaign. ACP/