Press Release: Regarding Rabies in Algeria
Screenshot from the AVSF live online meeting on rabies control, held on September 25, 2025. The session brought together veterinary and public health experts from Algeria, Tunisia, and the United States. From left to right: Dr. Nadjoua Bensalem, Secretary General of AVSF; Prof. Dr. Nassim Said, professor at Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University; Dr. Anis Bouraba, Vice President of AVSF for International Relations and WVA Board Member; and Dr. Hayat Abbassi, researcher at the University of Minnesota and One Health specialist.
On the evening of Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Algerian Veterinary Space Foundation held a live broadcast across its social media platforms. The session, which lasted two and a half hours, brought together an esteemed group of veterinary and public health experts from Algeria and Tunisia to discuss the latest developments concerning rabies — a deadly disease that continues to claim lives despite being entirely preventable through vaccination and coordinated, multisectoral efforts.
The meeting was honored by the participation of Dr. Hayat Abbassi, researcher at the University of Minnesota and member of both the One Health Council and the Minnesota State Public Health Board in the United States; Dr. Anis Bouraba, Vice President of the Algerian Veterinary Space Foundation for International Relations and Board Member of the World Veterinary Association representing the Middle East and North Africa; Prof. Dr. Said Nassim, professor at Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University in Bordj Bou Arreridj, a specialist in veterinary anatomy and pathology as well as an expert in veterinary legislation and rabies control; and Dr. Najwa Ben Salem, Secretary General of the Foundation and a veterinary expert in rabies management and prevention.
Participants unanimously recognized that rabies remains a serious public health threat in Algeria, with nearly one thousand suspected human cases annually, while global figures reach around fifty-five thousand deaths each year. Experts stressed that stray and semi-stray dogs are the most dangerous reservoir of the virus, acting as the bridge between wildlife and urban settings, alongside the contribution of wild animals in maintaining the cycle of infection and passing it on to domestic pets.
Dr. Najwa Ben Salem emphasized that prevention is the only real path to defeating rabies, pointing to international success stories based on the Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release (TNVR) model. She highlighted the Turkish example, where Istanbul has reported zero rabies cases since 2016. Algeria, she noted, urgently needs to adopt this model seriously to reduce risks in a humane and effective way.
For his part, Dr. Anis Bouraba underlined that eliminating rabies requires vaccinating at least 75% of the dog population for several consecutive years. He warned that the lack of coordination between veterinarians and physicians through their professional structures has created a deep gap that makes it nearly impossible to control the disease. He stressed that embracing the One Health approach has become a strategic necessity, as it links human, animal, and environmental health, restoring the veterinarian’s rightful role in public health. He also referred to the Pandemic Agreement adopted last May by the WHO, WOAH, FAO, and UNEP, which formally anchored the One Health approach in managing global epidemics. Member states are expected to ratify and begin implementing it during the current United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Dr. Hayat Abbassi, in turn, highlighted the importance of correcting misconceptions about the disease and learning from international experiences. She pointed to Tunisia’s laws that require mandatory reporting of suspected rabies cases and the observation of biting animals for fifteen days — a system Algeria should apply strictly and effectively.
Prof. Dr. Said Nassim focused on the legal and practical challenges facing Algeria. He argued that the real obstacle is not a lack of laws, but weak enforcement, inadequate outbreak management, and insufficient mechanisms to identify and classify suspected rabid animals. He emphasized that continuous training and legal education for veterinarians is more crucial than drafting new texts, so that they may fully play their role in protecting public health.
Speakers also strongly condemned mass poisoning campaigns against dogs and cats, describing them as primitive, dangerous to society and the environment, and ineffective for rabies control. Instead, they called for scientific and humane alternatives such as TNVR, supported by trained youth field teams equipped with proper tools — an approach that would both control stray populations and create new employment opportunities.
The meeting also highlighted that children remain the most vulnerable to dog bites, making them the priority target for awareness campaigns in schools using modern, engaging tools. The experts called for active involvement of television and digital media in spreading clear prevention messages, emphasizing that the first life-saving action after any bite is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for fifteen minutes before seeking medical care.
The session concluded with an announcement of AVSF’s upcoming Annual Congress in Oran, October 5–8, which will include a wide vaccination and sterilization campaign supported by 1,000 free rabies vaccine doses, alongside scientific sessions and awareness activities. The Foundation also renewed its call for the creation of a National Veterinary Chamber, considered essential for organizing the profession and enhancing international cooperation.
The Algerian Veterinary Space Foundation, together with its national and international partners, reaffirms its commitment to achieving the global goal of “Zero human deaths from rabies by 2030.” It calls upon the authorities, civil society, and citizens to unite in shared responsibility and collective action to protect Algeria from this preventable but deadly disease.
