The Upper West Regional Veterinary Officer Dr. Sulemana Sako has revealed that one person died from rabies infection as at the end of July 2020.
Speaking on the agricultural segment of Radio Progress Super Morning Drive on Monday August 17, Dr. Sako related that rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals adding that 99% of human cases are caused by dog bites.
Unfortunately however, he stated that on the fatality score rabies affects poor rural communities mostly in Africa and Asia.
According to him about one death occurs every 15 minutes globally, and 40% of the victims are younger than 15 years.
The prevention of transmission is raising public awareness and learning dog body language because ‘no bite no rabies’ he said.
Global elimination of dog mediated human rabies is now considering the fact that the virus attacks the brain and gets fatal as the symptoms appear.
He therefore called on residents of the region especially dog owners to reach out to the veterinary office and get their dogs, cats and monkeys vaccinated against the rabies.
Dr. Sako while talking about our collective efforts in dealing with rabies in the region congratulated the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Martin Domotiere Bomba-Ire for the corporation he offered when the team went to the district to carry out some veterinary exercise. He recounted the number of dogs and cats they vaccinated.
The Veterinary Technical Officer for the region, Mr Issahaku Dramani stated that it has been challenging getting residents to bring their animals for vaccination. He encouraged residents to always send their animals for vaccination.
