Dili, June 4, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry (MAPPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Institutional Strengthening (MFI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is conducting a key workshop to finalize the National Strategic Plan for the elimination of rabies in Timor-Leste. The workshop is being held at Hotel Novo Turismo on Tuesday.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, stated that this initiative is part of a joint effort with development partners to control the spread of rabies among dogs. Timor-Leste has already registered four human deaths due to rabies, three in the Oecusse-Ambeno Special Administrative Region (RAEOA) and one in Ermera.
“Australia has supported us with 200,000 doses of vaccines, which allowed us to vaccinate 1,575 dogs. These included 103 cases in Bobonaro, 56 in RAEOA, 34 in Ermera, and 13 in Covalima. These cases are linked to the recorded deaths from rabies, three in RAEOA and one in Ermera,” said Minister Marcos da Cruz.
The Minister further emphasized that these rabies cases pose a serious threat to public health. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, in coordination with partners, must formulate a joint strategic plan to effectively manage and control rabies within the country.
“This reminds us that rabies is not just a veterinary issue, but a One Health challenge requiring a collective, coordinated, multisectoral, and sustained effort,” he added.
He noted that eliminating rabies is not impossible, many countries have shown that with the right strategy, political will, and community involvement, the disease can be controlled and ultimately eradicated. He urged dog owners to take responsibility for their pets and ensure they are vaccinated to prevent the spread of rabies.
Also speaking at the workshop, Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening, José Magno dos Reis, stressed that the four rabies-related deaths in the country represent a public health emergency that requires urgent and determined response from all sectors.
“These tragic cases show us that rabies is no longer a distant threat, it is already here in Timor-Leste. Without immediate and coordinated action, the disease will continue to spread and put more lives at risk, especially among children,” said José Magno.
He pointed out that rabies causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths globally each year, mainly in areas with limited access to vaccines and post-exposure treatment. Nearly 40% of victims are children under the age of 15, often bitten while playing with dogs in their communities.
Meanwhile, WHO representative Arvind Mathur explained that the workshop is part of collaborative work with the Ministries of Agriculture and Health to examine rabies comprehensively and develop a national strategy focused on controlling the disease originating from animals.
“Our presence here is to provide technical support for the development of this national strategy, especially for animal-borne diseases like rabies. There are three parts involved, veterinary services for animal vaccination, health services for human vaccination, and epidemiology to track human rabies cases,” said Arvind Mathur.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing rabies control and uniting different sectors and specialists in the fight against this urgent threat. Although Timor-Leste was once free of rabies, it is now facing a progressive outbreak. However, this status can be restored through preventive measures.
The workshop is supported by the WHO and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), aimed at developing the National Strategic Plan in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and other relevant services to eliminate rabies in Timor-Leste.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano