A person holds a dog that lives in the Glodsmith Museum, in Havana, Cuba, on March 21, 2015. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

ARUSHA, Tanzania, Sept.28 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in northern Tanzania have raised a red flag over rabies, calling for the control of stray dogs in the east African nation.

Health experts and veterinarians want owners of the canine to take them for vaccination and exterminate those carrying the deadly disease.

The call came a day prior to the World Rabies Day on Wednesday. The day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating the disease.

Rabies is a contagious and fatal viral disease of dogs and other mammals that causes madness and convulsions, transmissible through the saliva to humans.

Sabas Shange, a veterinary officer at the Arusha Regional Commissioner's office, said that Arusha is now home to 61,649 dogs.

"The number excludes stray dogs, but so far only 4,867 have been victims of rabies," said the veterinarian.

According to Dr. Shange, this is equivalent to 7.8 percent of all canine in the region.

The veterinary officer insists that rabies still pose great threat in the region, urging dog owners and animal welfare enthusiasts to castrate and control stray dogs.

In the past, district and regional authorities used to shoot and kill stray dogs, a move that made animal welfare enthusiasts in uproar against the action.

"That is no longer applicable; the viable option is to castrate to prevent them from multiplying and keep them under proper control," he observed.

Nyasebwa Malangu, an officer in charge with the zonal veterinary center, said places highly inhabited by the Maasai have the most cases of rabies because of the proximity to national parks.

According to Malangu, the vaccine-preventable viral disease had its origins from the dog families which included jackals, foxes and hyenas.

"Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people, their vaccination will drive down the deaths attributable to rabies," he opined.

Vones Uiso, Arusha Regional Health Officer, said the safari capital of Arusha had in the last six months recorded 107 cases of dog bites.

"Some canine diseases are very serious and can be fatal even with treatment. To prevent your dog from getting these diseases we recommend regular vaccination. The vaccinations we recommend are highly effective and have a very low rate of side effects."

Karatu District followed closely with 49 such cases, much to the concern of the health officer.

Longido and Monduli districts led the region with most cases of dog bites each, with 140 and 120 cases of dog bites respectively.

"The numbers speak volumes about the problem. Any dog, regardless of its breed, can cause fear and alarm, or even serious injury if it is allowed by it's owner to be 'out of control," she said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies occurs in more than 150 countries and territories.