afrol News, 19 February - Angola has launched a massive animal vaccination campaign in the capital Luanda after rabies killed more that 70 children in the past three months.

According to health officials, a number of stray dogs have also been collected in the city for vaccination.

The Child victims are reported to be aged between three and 10 years old, who in most cases are defenseless to stray dogs, according to officials.

The officials said more than 1,000 dogs have already been collected since the rabies outbreak began in November, with those that tested positive having been killed and others released to carers.

Rabies, which affects the nervous system, can be transmitted to humans in saliva if they are bitten by an infected animal.

Authorities in Luanda carried out a city-wide vaccination campaign last month in which 100,000 dogs, cats and monkeys were vaccinated. However, the death toll failed to decline despite the campaign, reports said.

Angola has one of the worst child mortality rates in the world, with an estimated 25 percent of children dying before their fifth birthday.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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