Free rabies jabs for stray dogs across Egypt this week, until 7 November

Veterinary teams are out in every governorate this week vaccinating stray dogs against rabies, free of charge. The one-week campaign began on Sunday 1 November and is run by the General Authority for Veterinary Services through its local directorates, Egyptian Streets reported. In Cairo and Giza, that means teams working in neighbourhoods where street dogs live alongside residents.

The aim is to cut the spread of rabies among dogs, and with it the risk to people. Rabies passes through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or a scratch. Once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal, but treatment straight after exposure can prevent it, which is why the authority pairs the vaccinations with an awareness drive on safe contact with dogs and what to do after a bite.

The campaign is part of Egypt's plan to eliminate rabies by 2030. That strategy, drawn up in 2021 with the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, rests on mass vaccination of dogs, better tracking of cases, public awareness and access to preventive treatment. The stated target is to vaccinate 70 percent of the stray dog population. In March, the Ministry of Agriculture said 16,311 stray dogs had been vaccinated and 1,660 sterilised since the start of 2026.

What this week means for you: if you see vaccination teams in your street, the authority asks residents to cooperate with them. Suspected rabies cases and dog bites can be reported to the local veterinary directorate or on the veterinary services hotline, 19561. The authority stresses that the hotline is for reporting animals and does not replace medical care. After any animal bite, the World Health Organization advises washing the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and getting to the nearest health facility straight away for assessment and preventive treatment. The campaign runs until Saturday 7 November.