In a record-breaking campaign, 229,488 dogs were vaccinated against rabies in just two weeks across Cambodia, marking Asia’s largest rabies vaccination effort to date. Spearheaded by the UK-based charity Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) under their Mission Rabies project, this massive initiative united hundreds of veterinarians, volunteers, and local authorities with the shared goal of reducing Cambodia’s high rabies mortality rate.

A Collaborative Effort for Rabies Control

The campaign, held from October 21 to November 4, 2024, spanned the provinces of Phnom Penh, Kandal, and Battambang. Around 300 vaccination teams moved systematically across neighborhoods, going door-to-door to ensure maximum reach. WVS partnered closely with the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP)and Animal Rescue Cambodia, working under Cambodia’s “National Strategic Plan for Rabies Control and Elimination.” Following a successful 2023 drive that saw nearly 75,000 dogs vaccinated, this year’s campaign set a new benchmark.

Dr. Luke Gamble, CEO and Founder of Worldwide Veterinary Service, shared his enthusiasm:

"When we launched Mission Rabies in 2013, our goal was ambitious—to vaccinate 60,000 dogs in 30 days. Many thought it couldn’t be done, but we managed 64,000. Ten years later, we’ve just completed our second year in Cambodia, where, remarkably, we vaccinated over 82,000 dogs by day four alone."

Why Rabies Vaccination is Critical

Rabies poses a major public health risk in Cambodia, where the virus claims hundreds of lives each year, with children under 15 being particularly vulnerable. The World Health Organization notes that over 99% of human rabies cases are transmitted through dog bites, highlighting the crucial role of dog vaccination in preventing human rabies deaths. Without post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after a bite from a rabid animal, rabies is almost invariably fatal once symptoms develop.

Dr. Amy Nicole Lewis, International Project Manager at WVS, emphasized the critical need for public awareness:

“The lack of awareness about this deadly disease means that many bitten individuals do not receive the post-exposure treatment they need. By achieving at least 70% vaccination coverage in affected areas, we create herd immunity, halting the disease transmission to humans.”

Beyond Vaccination: Education and Sterilization

Mission Rabies also conducted extensive educational programs to raise awareness about rabies prevention, visiting schools and community centers to inform people about the dangers of rabies and the importance of vaccinating pets. Additionally, a free spay and neuter clinic was offered at the Royal University of Agriculture, where over 200 animals were sterilized. A mobile veterinary team provided care for over 500 sick and injured animals reported by vaccination teams.

Technology and Teamwork

The teams used the Mission Rabies app to coordinate field operations, tracking every vaccinated dog in real-time to ensure comprehensive coverage and collect valuable data for future campaigns. This effort brought together volunteers from over 30 countries and involved more than 200 Cambodian veterinary students, providing invaluable training and practical experience.

As the campaign draws to a close, the impact of this large-scale effort is clear: by significantly reducing the population of unvaccinated dogs, Cambodia takes a vital step towards eliminating rabies and protecting human lives. Plans are already underway for the 2025 vaccination drive, with WVS actively recruiting volunteers to join the mission. Those interested can find more information at missionrabies.com.