By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Kenema district Livestock Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Paul Martin Ngegba has on the 6th October 2021 told Politico that 90 cases of dog bites have so far been recorded since the beginning of this year. He however stated that none of the cases has turned out to be rabies –related. He advised people having dogs to make sure the animals are vaccinated especially those having constant interaction with people in the community.
He said his office receives reports of dog bites and people out of fear that they might be carrying rabies, resort to killing them. Ngeba said they carry lab tests on the severed heads of the animals to know whether they have rabies but have not had any confirmed case of the virus this year.
He described such action by the people as appalling and noted there was need for more sensitisation. According to the vet. officer other animals like squirrels can also be carrying rabies and might transmit it to humans due to game hunting by people in rural areas.
Ngegba advised that people should look for unusual symptoms such as persistent dripping of saliva from dogs and restless running around by the animals. He said they should act in such circumstances by taking the animal to a vet. for tests. He encouraged people to be mindful of the deadly nature of the virus and take all necessary precautionary measures including taking their pets for vaccination.
He said every year to commemorate World Rabies Day they receive the vaccine and embark on mass vaccination of especially dogs in various communities. He said rabies is deadly to humans and warned against complacency which he said could cost loss of human lives.
Copyright © Politico Online 11/10/21
