Dr. Radford Okornor, Veterinary Officer at the Veterinary Services Department in Bolgatanga Municipal, has emphasized that rabies should no longer pose such a significant threat, given the available preventive measures and the long-standing awareness of the disease.
“Considering how far we’ve come, rabies should not still be claiming lives, especially with so many other infectious diseases to battle. Rabies has been around for a long time, yet certain preventive measures have not been implemented effectively.”
His remarks came in response to recent reports indicating a concerning rise in rabies cases in Ghana, with 26 lives lost to the disease nationwide.
In an interview on A1 Radio, Dr. Okornor explained that rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, with dogs and cats being the most common carriers. However, other mammals, including monkeys, goats, and sheep, can also harbor the virus. He noted that the disease is particularly insidious; once symptoms manifest, survival is extremely unlikely.
“Any infected animal harbors the virus in its saliva. When they become infectious, a bite or scratch can transmit the virus. Once the clinical signs and symptoms of rabies appear, it’s almost impossible to save the person. The disease is that serious.”
Dr. Okornor highlighted a troubling trend where many dog bite cases go unreported, often due to a lack of access to veterinary services or medical care. This gap in awareness and resources, he said, exacerbates the rabies situation, leaving communities vulnerable. “There are many dog bite cases that go unreported primarily because people don’t have access to quality healthcare or veterinary services.”
He outlined symptoms of rabies in dogs, such as loss of appetite, aggressive behavior, difficulty walking, and unusual vocalizations. He stated that when a dog suspected of having rabies is brought to the veterinary department, immediate action is often necessary. In many cases, euthanasia is the only option, as treatment for symptomatic animals is non-existent. “For rabies, once the signs begin to show, there’s nothing that can be done. In some advanced countries, they’ve tried, but the success rate is very low—maybe just 1%.”
“When a dog suspected of rabies is brought to us, the best approach is often to quarantine it. We may have to put the animal to sleep and take samples from the brain to confirm rabies. But if the signs are obvious, we sometimes skip quarantine and proceed directly to euthanasia. At that stage, they can’t be saved or treated.”
In light of this public health crisis, Dr. Okornor urged communities to prioritize vaccination for pets. By immunizing dogs and cats, communities can significantly reduce the risk of rabies transmission to humans, breaking the infection cycle and protecting public health. “We urge communities to vaccinate their dogs against rabies, as dogs are the primary source of rabies transmission here. Vaccinating at this level breaks the chain of infection into humans.”
He stressed the importance of thoroughly washing any bite wounds and seeking medical attention immediately, as prompt action is crucial to preventing rabies onset. Additionally, he noted that the safe disposal of rabies-infected animal remains is essential to prevent further transmission.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
