Thousands of dogs in Cambodia are to receive free rabies vaccinations

Thousands of free rabies vaccinations will be administered to dogs in Cambodia during an intensive two-week campaign. The project is spearheaded by UK animal charity Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) as part of their Mission Rabies project, in close collaboration with General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP).

From 20th to 31st October 2025, 136 vaccination teams will work across the Provinces of Phnom Penh, Kandal, and Battambang, going door-to-door to vaccinate dogs against the deadly disease. During the 2024 campaign, 229,488 dogs were vaccinated in just two weeks, making it Asia’s largest rabies vaccination drive to date.

Rabies kills approximately 59,000 people globally every year, in over 150 countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Infected dog bites are the main cause of rabies deaths in people, and it is estimated that around 600,000 people are bitten by dogs every year in Cambodia. However, rabies is preventable with mass dog vaccination programmes proven to be the most effective way to stop the spread of the disease.

The annual campaign integrates with Cambodia’s ‘National Strategic Plan for Rabies Control and Elimination’ of which the Dorset-based charity is a lead consultant.

General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) explains the importance of owners vaccinating their dogs during this campaign:

‘We urge all dog owners across Phnom Penh, Kandal, and Battambang provinces to join us in supporting this life-saving mission as we work together towards a rabies-free Cambodia by 2030. Dogs are the main source of rabies transmission to humans; by vaccinating dogs against rabies, we can save lives.’

Campaign staff will be joined by Cambodian veterinary students and international volunteers to form the 136 vaccination teams, which will be working their way door-to- door through communities.

Dr Amy Lewis, International Project Manager at Worldwide Veterinary Service, tells us:

‘Rabies is a horrific disease which is almost always fatal once symptoms have developed, but it is also completely preventable through large-scale action. We urge all dog owners to bring their dogs forward for vaccination to keep communities safe. We are returning to the same areas annually to ensure at least 70% of the dog population is vaccinated – this is the coverage needed to eliminate rabies from a dog population and protect human and animal lives.’

The signs of rabies in dogs include aggression, a change in bark, biting, uncoordinated movement, salivation, and unexpected death. Members of the public in Cambodia can call a dedicated rabies surveillance team for free to report suspicious dogs and receive human health advice about rabies.

Further information on Mission Rabies can be found at missionrabies.com.