In July 2025, at the station No. 4 of the Sayram residential area of Karatau district of Shymkent city, veterinary doctors conducted information and explanatory work on the prevention of rabies among the residents of the district. This event was organized in a friendly atmosphere, in a mobile format, where veterinarians met face to face with local residents and conveyed in clear, understandable language about the dangerous consequences of rabies for human life and animals.

The main goal of the campaign was to raise public awareness about dangerous infectious diseases transmitted by animals and to explain the importance of vaccination against rabies and preventive measures. The local population was explained in detail about the clinical signs of rabies, the ways of transmission of the virus and its fatal consequences. The need for timely vaccination of pets, litter boxes, and dogs living near the house was especially emphasized.

Doctors emphasized that the vaccine itself protects people from rabies, and if vaccination is not carried out on time, treatment in case of infection with the virus will become a thing of the past. In addition, during meetings with small groups, information was provided about the periodicity of the vaccination campaign for animals and the quality of the vaccine, and residents were urged to register their animals with the veterinary service.

This event is different from similar campaigns organized by the Shymkent city veterinary department in previous years. For example, vaccination campaigns in healthy nurseries and rural districts held in 2023–2024 were mostly limited to vaccination of animals and did not include a detailed form of public education. Residents did not have the opportunity to truly understand where the vaccine was obtained and how safe it was for animals and humans. In addition, rabies education was rarely carried out among rural residents, mainly through the distribution of brochures.

The current initiative is different: it aims to actively involve residents, answer their questions, and create awareness about the need for animal vaccination. In an interactive format, villagers asked doctors questions about the methods and safety procedures for vaccinating certain animals in Uzbekistan, and received specific answers.

During the campaign, veterinarians monitored the health status of some dogs and cats in the area and discussed the vaccination rate among them with the group participating in the awareness-raising event. Local residents collected information on registering and vaccinating their pets. This not only increased the sense of responsibility among residents, but also created real opportunities to reduce the likelihood of the spread of rabies.

The information leaflets provided information on vaccination dates, advice on avoiding intentional handling of animals, the risk of animals spreading the virus, and what to do if an animal attacks a person. The leaflets also provided simple explanations about the effects of vaccination on animals and the mechanism of immunity formation.

This initiative was positively received by the community. According to residents, previously little information was provided about rabies, and such explanatory work was rarely carried out. On the day of the campaign, villagers greeted veterinarians, participated in a dialogue, expressed their opinions, and expressed their wishes for future events. Some residents noted that this work should be carried out regularly, especially for citizens who often live near children and animals.

The organizers said that this campaign will continue intensively, and it is planned to expand it to other checkpoints and rural districts. It is especially important to systematically conduct such explanatory campaigns in rural areas and areas with nurseries on the outskirts of the city. In addition to vaccination campaigns, establishing a dialogue with the population should serve as an effective mechanism for increasing the level of public safety and sanitary culture.

Regular organization of such events will help to form the civic consciousness of the population and increase social responsibility. The above-mentioned campaign has strengthened the connection and trust between the population and medical and veterinary specialists, and has created concrete experience in the field of infectious disease prevention.

In short, this event, organized on August 3 at checkpoint No. 4 of the Sayram residential area of Karatau district of Shymkent city, is an important step towards the prevention of infectious diseases and increasing public health literacy. This initiative differs from last year's practical experiences: rather than distributing information materials to the public, it is based on feedback, dialogue, and the exchange of accurate information with the population. If it is repeated and systematically carried out in other districts, it will have significant social significance in the field of veterinary safety and the prevention of infectious diseases.