According to the National Food Agency, rabies has been detected in Martvili Municipality. As stated in the agency’s announcement, a stray dog that had been transferred to a shelter in Kutaisi and was under isolated observation due to suspected status has been laboratory-confirmed to have rabies, leading to the declaration of quarantine.

The agency urges all individuals who had contact with the stray dog near the “Ori Nabiji” area in the village of Bandza, Martvili Municipality, to immediately seek vaccination at a medical facility and contact the relevant authorities.

“On April 14 of this year, a stray dog transferred to a shelter in Kutaisi, which had been under isolated observation with suspected status, was laboratory-confirmed to have rabies (test report #2465). The National Food Agency informed all relevant agencies about the case; rabies containment measures have been initiated—quarantine has been declared in the affected area; disinfection has been carried out, including at the animal shelter; vaccination of susceptible animals is ongoing, and monitoring of their health has been established. The National Food Agency urges all individuals who had contact with the stray dog near the ‘Two Steps’ area in the village of Bandza, Martvili Municipality, to immediately visit a medical facility for vaccination and contact the appropriate service,” the statement reads.