A case of rabies was recorded in the village of Najakhavo, Martvili Municipality. According to the National Food Agency, a two-month-old puppy, whose mother was taken in by a family a few months ago, bit its caretaker.
“Upon receiving the information, the National Food Agency sent pathological material to the laboratory for diagnostics. Laboratory tests confirmed rabies. Due to this incident, a quarantine was declared in the area, and measures to eliminate rabies were initiated, including vaccination of susceptible animals, disinfection, restrictions on animal movement, and monitoring of stray and susceptible animals’ health.
This year, five cases of rabies have been identified nationwide.
The National Food Agency conducts free preventive vaccinations against rabies annually, vaccinating up to 300,000 domestic animals (dogs/cats).
The agency urges the public to vaccinate their pets (dogs, cats) in a timely manner to prevent rabies and avoid endangering their own lives. It also appeals to animal protection organizations that oppose the pilot program for managing stray/taken-in animal (dog, cat) populations to refrain from unfounded accusations and show their love for animals by supporting this project. International experience and research on rabies control unanimously indicate that controlling stray and taken-in dog populations and vaccinating them play a significant role in reducing and eliminating the spread of the disease,” the statement reads.
According to the agency, under the Georgian government’s decree (No. 1019, June 26, 2025), coordinated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the National Food Agency launched a pilot program for managing stray/taken-in animal (dog, cat) populations. The program includes identification-registration, castration-sterilization, anti-rabies vaccination, and diagnostic testing of stray/taken-in animals.
“These measures will contribute to animal population management, health monitoring, prevention of rabies and other diseases, as well as the protection of human health and safety.
At the initial stage, the program covers the regions of Adjara, Imereti, and Kakheti and is implemented with the involvement of local municipalities.
Within the program’s framework, it is planned to take 9,000 stray/taken-in animals from the streets, transfer them to shelters designated by local municipalities for relevant procedures, and then return them to their environment.
As of today, over 2,000 stray/taken-in dogs have undergone castration/sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination. The measures outlined in the pilot program are ongoing,” the statement notes.
National Food Agency: In Martvili Municipality, a dog that bit its caretaker tested positive for rabies – a quarantine has been declared in the area
