State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Monday stressed the importance of preventing rabies rather than controlling the disease after an outbreak.

He said early awareness and timely preventive measures can significantly reduce rabies-related deaths.

“To effectively curb rabies, we must expand vaccination drives, bolster public awareness, and ensure prompt, quality medical care following exposure,” the state minister said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) at the Cotton Development Board’s conference room in the capital.

The event marked World Rabies Day 2026 and followed the global theme, “Stronger Together: Building a Rabies-Free World.”

Highlighting rural-urban disparities in healthcare literacy, the State Minister observed that while urban residents are relatively well-informed about rabies, awareness remains limited in rural and marginalised areas, leading to higher casualty rates in rural communities.

“We must intensify rabies prevention and control programs across both urban and rural areas. Nationwide initiatives will be reactivated to ensure equal coverage,” the state minister assured.

Underscoring the government’s commitment to public welfare, he said citizens are increasingly concerned not only about food security but also about animal health and food safety.

“Human health is directly linked to animal health. Therefore, our operational strategy must integrate animal welfare with public health safeguards under a unified approach,” he added.

The State Minister further noted that the livestock sector plays a pivotal role in driving the rural economy. To harness its full potential, priority must be given to disease control, animal wellness, and outreach targeting farmers and cattle rearers.

He urged officials to hold more seminars, field campaigns, and grassroots outreach, while strengthening field-level supervision to achieve national targets for rabies eradication.

Chaired by DLS Director General Dr Md. Shahzaman Khan, the seminar featured the Executive Director of the Cotton Development Board, Md. Rezaul Amin as the special guest, along with senior DLS officials.

Dr Md. Boyzar Rahman, Director (Administration) of DLS, delivered the welcome address, while Dr Begum Shamsunnahar Ahammad, Director (Extension), also spoke. DLS Deputy Director Dr Md. A. Mannan Mia and Dr Mehedi Hasan Bhuiyan Project Director of the Control Spread of Rabies through Street Dog Project, presented keynote papers on Bangladesh’s rabies status, vaccination coverage, and measures to eradicate rabies by 2030.