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Six people in the Bono Region lost their lives to rabies in 2023, according to Dr. Donald Joachim Darko, the Veterinary Services Department’s (VSD) Bono Regional Director.
In contrast, he claimed that the deaths slightly decreased because the Department only reported eight deaths in 2022. Rabies is a fatal virus that spreads through the saliva of animals infected with it. Symptoms include fever, headaches, excessive salivation, paralysis, muscle spasms, and mental confusion.
Dr. Darko stated that the Department immunized 4,402 domestic animals in 2023 in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani. He said that approximately 3,606 domestic animals and 8,171 dogs received vaccinations in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
In an appeal for public support, Dr. Darko stated that the Department was making every effort to meet the World Health Organization’s 2030 deadline for ensuring that there are no deaths from rabies.
He said the nation would struggle to meet the WHO target unless seventy percent of domestic and pet animal population received three consecutive vaccinations.
With only six years remaining, Dr. Darko urged the Ghana Health Service, the Municipal/District Assemblies, and the VSD to work together effectively to increase public education and make vaccines more accessible and affordable in order to meet the 2030 target.
In order to help prevent illnesses and avoidable deaths, he also urged the public to make an effort to take their dogs, cats, and other pets in for vaccinations at least once a year.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
