On February 9, 2026, the eighth online working meeting was held at the State Institution "Donetsk Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" (SI "DONETSK RCCDP MOH") meeting on the strategic assessment of the possible biological threat of rabies and the risk to public health in the Donetsk region.
Epidemic situation
Experts from the working group of the State Institution "DONETSK OCCPH of the Ministry of Health" reported on the epidemic situation with rabies in the region and in Ukraine, provided information on the source and mechanisms of transmission of this particularly dangerous infection, methods of prevention (including pre-contact and post-contact vaccination), the availability of anti-rabies drugs in the region's healthcare facilities, and drew attention to the need for cooperation between the OCCPH and the Department of Health, the State Food and Consumer Service, the Forestry Administration, executive bodies, The State Food and Consumer Service, the Forestry Administration, and executive authorities, with the involvement of communities and volunteers, emphasized the importance of communication activities.
Medical aspects
An external expert from the regional administration's health department emphasized the incurability of rabies after clinical signs appear in humans, described the symptoms of rabies and methods of diagnosis, provided information about the readiness of regional health care facilities to provide emergency medical care to victims of animal bites, and provided a list of these facilities.
The role of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and other agencies
The discussion was joined by an expert from the Main Directorate of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Donetsk Oblast and an expert from the South-Eastern Interregional Directorate of Forestry and Hunting, who provided detailed information on the epizootic situation with rabies among animals in Donetsk Oblast, response and implementation of measures to prevent the spread of this infection in case of its registration, preventive measures, paying special attention to the coverage of domestic and stray animals with rabies vaccinations, the impossibility of vaccinations and regulation of the number of wild carnivorous animals.
The online meeting was also attended by experts from the regional administration's department of education and science, who are involved in communication campaigns on rabies prevention.
Assessment of the level of biological threat
Based on the results of the meeting, taking into account the possibilities for response and minimization of negative consequences, the level of risk of biological threat — rabies — was determined to be “medium.”
Further actions
The State Institution “DONETSK OCCPCH MOH” continues to cooperate with external experts for effective risk management, which requires a cross-sectoral approach within the framework of “One Health.”
The work of the experts continues.