By Andrea Hargraves 
The Federal District Health Department (SES-DF) has already administered more than 49,000 anti-rabies vaccines to dogs and cats since January until Saturday (21). “The campaign against animal rabies aims to keep rabies free of this disease. Therefore, it is important that the population takes their pets for annual vaccination,” says the Undersecretary of Health Surveillance at the SES-DF, Fabiano dos Anjos Martins.
Student Alexandre Gonçalves takes his dog Ted to be vaccinated in São Sebastião: “He's our mascot, we can't neglect him” | Photos: Disclosure/Agência Saúde-DF
Rabies, a disease that can be transmitted from infected animals to humans, has a mortality rate of nearly 100%. The campaign runs until September 28, with 166 service locations, such as schools, pet shops, residential units, arenas, regional administrations, fairs and health units. A full list of addresses and times is available on the Secretariat’s website. The service is free and animals from three months of age can be vaccinated, except pregnant or lactating females.
Student Alexandre Gonçalves takes his dog Ted, a 9-year-old sweetie, to be vaccinated at one of the nine vaccination stations in São Sebastião. “I always bring him for vaccinations and I take good care of his diet. He is our lucky charm, we cannot neglect him.”
Leishmaniasis
The head of environmental surveillance in São Sebastião, Milton Lopes Coutinho, highlighted that the area has many settlements, which requires special attention to small and large animals: “This is an endemic area for leishmaniasis, so we pay more attention to preventing the disease.” Between January and July of this year, 583 dogs were tested for visceral leishmaniasis by zoonoses, and 80 tested positive.
“This is an area endemic for leishmaniasis, which is why we are paying more attention to preventing the disease,” said Milton Lopes Coutinho, head of environmental surveillance in São Sebastião.
Leishmaniasis is a non-contagious, infectious disease of dogs, cats, humans, and wild animals, transmitted by sandfly bites. Mosquitoes breed in decaying organic matter, such as tree trunks, leaves, and fruits.
Coutinho highlights the importance of prevention: “It is essential that people keep their backyards clean, avoid walkways and areas where mosquitoes are present, especially in the late afternoon and early evening, and use insect repellents.” Key prevention measures include vector control, dog-cleaning, personal protection, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, environmental management and health education.
*With information from the Ministry of Health