Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health

Secretary of State for Livestock farming

Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs

 IX Constitutional Government

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Joint Circular

Dili, June 27th, 2025

About rabies disease

At the moment, rabies has become a concern for all of us, because it threatens public health in our country. Therefore, once again, we would like to inform everyone in our country that this rabies disease has already killed 6 Timorese.

These people were from RAEOA (three people), Bobonaro (two people) and Ermera (one person). These people were bitten by dogs infected with the rabies virus, according to laboratory confirmation.

Therefore, in order to prevent and mitigate rabies, so that the disease does not spread to other municipalities that are currently still free, the Secretary of State for Livestock (SEPE), together with the Ministry of Health (MS), the Ministry of State Administration (MAE), through the Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs (SEATOU) are working with the Presidents of Municipal Authorities (PAM), with local authorities, community leaders and religious leaders, and with security institutions (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), Falintil – Forças da Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL)) to monitor and pay attention to this issue, in order to prevent and mitigate the rabies outbreak.

Therefore, on the basis of Article 3(d) and (e), Article 5(1)(a) and (c) and (2), Articles 7, 9 and 10 and Chapter IV (Penalties) (namely Article 9 on fines) of Decree-Law No. 12/2024, of 14 May, and based on Article 8 of Decree-Law No. 33/2008, of 27 August, First Amendment. No. 12/2024, of May 14, on the Restriction of Animal Movement in Urban Areas, and also based on Article 8 of Decree-Law No. 33/2008, of August 27, First Amendment to Decree-Law No. 03/2024, of January 17, on Hygiene and Public Order, it is decided as follows:

1. To ask people who keep dogs, cats and monkeys to keep them locked up and not to let them run loose in the community, especially in communities that live close to the border, such as the municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera and RAEOA, but also in Dili.

2. Prohibit the transportation of animals such as dogs, cats and monkeys from one municipality to another, including to and from the Ataúro Administrative Authority (AAA) and RAEOA by land, air and sea, and also from abroad to Timor-Leste. In cases where the Transit Post Guard or the Joint Team finds them, the animals will be seized and disposed of.
3. Ask people who keep dogs, cats and monkeys to cooperate with the vaccination teams to ensure that these animals are vaccinated, or to voluntarily take them to the vaccination posts set up by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry or to private veterinary clinics in each municipality.
4. The Joint Team will dispose of unknown or unowned animals (dogs and cats).
5. If these rules are not complied with and someone is bitten by a dog, cat or monkey, the owners of these animals will be held responsible in accordance with the Decree Law mentioned above.

 

Dili, June 27th, 2025

José dos Reis Magno, Lic. SP

Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health

José Vieira de Araújo, Lic. CSH, Lic. Dir., MD, M. AP

Secretary of State for Livestock farming

Germano Santa Brites Dias

Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs