The Ministry of Public Health stated that "following the incident that occurred in the Metn district, in which several citizens, mostly children, were scratched by a stray dog that was later confirmed to be infected with rabies, the Ministry of Public Health - Preventive Medicine Department would like to clarify the following:
- Upon being notified of the matter, the Preventive Medicine Department contacted rabies control centers in the hospitals closest to the area to emphasize the immediate need for preventive measures for all individuals who were exposed to the infected animal.
- The Department coordinated with the epidemiological surveillance program to conduct a field visit to the town where the incident took place, ensuring that all individuals who were exposed to the infected animal receive appropriate treatment.
- Rabies is a viral disease, zoonotic in nature, endemic in certain types of mammals in Lebanon and neighboring countries. It is transmitted from animals to humans through bites or scratches from the infected animal or through a human wound that comes into contact with the saliva of the sick animal.
The Ministry of Public Health emphasizes the importance of rabies prevention by following these guidelines:
- Avoid animals (especially strays and wildlife) and keep children away from them.
- Ensure pets are vaccinated by a veterinarian and maintain the vaccination documentation.
- Individuals who have been bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately (within no more than 24 hours) go to the nearest rabies control center to assess their health status and receive appropriate treatment.
Finally, the Ministry of Public Health warns that rabies is a serious disease with a mortality rate of 100%. The Ministry also cautions that the issue of stray dogs requires a fundamental solution from the relevant authorities and cannot be resolved simply by bringing more rabies vaccines and serums. Therefore, the Ministry calls upon all relevant ministries and citizens to take responsibility for the sake of lives and to safeguard public health."
