Rabies a public health problem in Morocco, expert warns

Rabies is a "public health problem in Morocco" that is likely to have "negative repercussions on the economic and social sectors," warned director of Institut Pasteur in Morocco, Pr. Mohamed Hassar, in an article published Thursday by "Aujourd'hui le Maroc" daily.

"It is inadmissible and shameful that a person dies of rabies nowadays," he said. Hassar noted that Morocco "currently accounts for 400 to 450 rabid animal and 20 to 30 rabid humans."

The Moroccan expert blamed this situation on stray dogs and warned of "field rats, cats and donkeys that may also carry the disease."

Hassar called for an "awareness campaigns" on the dangers of stray dogs, saying important efforts were made to make anti-rabies treatment free of charge and more accessible.