Participants during this year's World Rabies Day in Kisumu, September 28, 2017. [Photo|Governor Nyong'o Communication Unit]
Kisumu County hosted this year's World Rabies Day on September 28, an event celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention and highlight the progress made in combating the disease. The day also marks the anniversary of the French chemist and microbiologist, Louis Pasteur death. He was responsible for the development of the first rabies vaccine made from rabid rabbits.Kisumu County Deputy Governor Dr Ochieng Owili alongside Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock Dr Andrew Tuimur, flagged of the World Rabies Day, Sharon Marathon. The marathon was held in remembrance of Sharon, a young girl who succumbed to the deadly disease.Tuimur said close to 60,000 people worldwide and 2,000 in Kenya, die from rabies contracted after being bitten by an animal with the vast majority resulting from dog bites.Dr Owili reminded the world that the vaccination of rabies was free of charge in Kisumu as facilitated by the County government. Several stations were put in place across the county for vaccinations against rabies during the event.