More than 3,000 people bitten by dogs in Rwanda in 2025

By The Inspirer.

More than 3,000 people in Rwanda were bitten by dogs in 2025, according to figures from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).

The agency said 3,227 dog bites were recorded last year.

The figures were highlighted on Monday as Rwanda marked World Rabies Day in Musanze District, in the north of the country.

The annual event, held on 28 September, aims to raise awareness of rabies, encourage vaccination of animals and educate communities about preventing the disease.

This year’s commemoration took place in Bisate Sector, near Volcanoes National Park.

As part of the activities, veterinary teams vaccinated dogs, spayed female dogs, neutered male dogs and fitted some animals with microchips containing identification information.

Claudine Uwingabire, who lives near the national park, said she was pleased that her two dogs had been vaccinated free of charge.

“I have two dogs and recently they went to a neighbour’s home looking for food, which almost caused a disagreement,” she told IGIHE.

The director of Volcanoes National Park, Prosper Uwingeri, urged residents not to allow their dogs to enter the park to hunt.

He said roaming dogs could threaten wildlife and affect the area’s tourism appeal.

“Some people release their dogs and they go hunting in the forest,” he said. “We love dogs and we want to protect them.”

Nshimiyimana Laslas, who heads the neglected tropical diseases division at RBC, said both dogs and cats could transmit rabies.

He said the country was aiming to eliminate rabies as a public health problem by 2030.

He also warned that once a person develops symptoms after being infected with rabies, the chances of survival are extremely low.

“People who keep dogs at home are the first line of defence against rabies,” he said, urging owners to vaccinate their animals, keep them contained and prevent them from coming into contact with other animals.

The campaign has placed particular emphasis on communities around Volcanoes National Park, where authorities say preventing contact between domestic animals and wildlife is important for protecting both public health and biodiversity.