By Michael Gwarisa
Amid a surge in dog bite cases across Zimbabwe, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued a stern warning about the proliferation of falsified rabies vaccine on the black market.
Authorities caution that using this vaccine could lead to serious health risks in the near future. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines falsified medical products as products that are deliberately misrepresented in terms of their identity, composition, or source. The intent to deceive is the key distinction between falsified and substandard medical products.
In a circular, Mr. Richard Rukwata, the MCAZ Director General, expressed concern over the presence of falsified ABHAYRAB Rabies vaccine, highlighting the implications for public safety.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has identified ABHAYRAB Rabies Vaccine circulating in the market through unauthorised sources. This falsified vaccine product poses a significant threat to public health due to the potential for lack of efficacy, harmful components, and the risk of treatment failure in preventing rabies, a fatal disease,” said Mr. Rukwata.
Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) reveals a worrying rise in dog bite cases. According to the Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending January 5, 2025, a total of 635 dog bite cases were reported, with no deaths recorded. Of these cases, 141 (22%) involved vaccinated dogs, 118 (18%) involved unvaccinated dogs, and 366 (60%) involved dogs with unknown vaccination status.
Mr. Rukwata urged health facilities to immediately quarantine any units of the falsified rabies vaccine and cease administering them.
“The authority would like to draw the attention of all licensed wholesalers, pharmacies, public and private clinics, and hospitals that they should quarantine any units of the falsified ABHAYRAB Rabies Vaccine. Thereafter, these quarantined units must be submitted to the authority for disposal,” he stated.
