Four individuals have lost their lives to rabies between January and October in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality in the Western North Region. The Municipal Health Directorate recorded 200 dog-bite cases during the same period.

The information was disclosed by the Municipal Disease Control Officer, Doris Verome, on Thursday, October 8, while speaking at Sefwi Ankra Muano. According to her, individuals who are bitten by dogs or other animals suspected to have rabies must seek medical attention immediately, as prompt treatment can prevent the disease from becoming fatal. Meanwhile, two of the deaths were recorded in the Wassa East District, while the other occurred in the Jomoro Municipality.

Rabies remains a serious public health issue in Ghana, with dozens of suspected cases and deaths reported annually, mostly from dog bites. Rabies is a deadly zoonotic viral disease (Lyssavirus) that affects the central nervous system of humans and animals.

It is described as a zoonotic because it mostly originates in animals and can be passed to humans primarily through dog bites, but also via bats, cats, foxes, raccoons, and other mammals.

It is transmitted through the saliva from infected animals entering broken skin or mucous membranes, and once transmission occurs, immediate medical attention is required and critical in preventing fatality, as once symptoms start developing, rabies is almost always fatal.

Symptoms

Some of the early symptoms of rabies may include Fever, headache, weakness, pain, or tingling around the bite area. As the disease progresses, an infected person may experience severe symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, fear of water (hydrophobia), confusion or agitation.