Egypt has launched a week-long national campaign to vaccinate stray dogs against rabies, running from Sunday 1 November across every governorate. The General Authority for Veterinary Services is coordinating field teams through local veterinary directorates, aiming to reach dogs in targeted areas using approved veterinary procedures.

The push is part of a wider goal: eliminating rabies in Egypt by 2030, with an earlier target of vaccinating 70 percent of the country's stray dog population. Alongside the vaccination drive, the campaign includes public awareness work — teaching people how rabies spreads, why vaccination matters, and how to behave safely around dogs.

There's already measurable progress. In March, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that 16,311 stray dogs had been vaccinated and 1,660 sterilised since the start of 2026. The national strategy itself was drawn up in 2021 with the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, combining mass dog vaccination, better disease surveillance, public education and access to preventive treatment.

Why should travellers care? Rabies is virtually always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is entirely preventable with prompt treatment after a bite or scratch. Egypt is a hugely popular destination — Cairo, Luxor, the Red Sea resorts — and street dogs are a common sight in cities and villages alike. Anyone spending time in areas with stray animals should know the drill: if bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and get medical help immediately. The WHO advises urgent assessment for preventive treatment in every case.

Egyptians and visitors can report suspected rabies cases or dog bites through local veterinary directorates or the veterinary services hotline, 19561 — though the authority notes it's for veterinary reporting, not a substitute for medical care.

A blanket vaccination campaign doesn't mean Egypt's stray dog problem disappears overnight, but it does signal a serious, internationally backed effort to make the streets safer for locals and tourists alike. If you're travelling with kids, keep the usual rules in mind: don't encourage stray dogs to approach, don't let children touch them, and treat any animal encounter that breaks the skin as urgent. Knowing where to get help — your hotel, a local clinic or travel insurance helpline — is worth five minutes of research before you go.