Five cases of rabies were recorded in the Eastern Region in 2024, according to the Veterinary Services Department.
The cases were detected in Donkokrom in the Afram Plains North District, Oyoko in New Juaben North, as well as Monrovia and Nyamekrom in the New Juaben South Municipality.
Regional Veterinary Officers say many animal owners fail to report suspected rabies cases or dog bites, a situation affecting accurate data collection and timely interventions.
“So we want to plead with the general public, please, when you are bitten by a dog—whether a known dog in your house or a stray—report to the nearest health facility and also to the veterinary services. It helps with data collection and accurate reporting,” said Dr. Kofi Nti Agyarko, a Senior Veterinary Officer.
Despite the challenges, the Eastern Regional Veterinary Services Department vaccinated 5,916 animals in 2024, up from 4,968 in 2023.
This year, the anti – Rabbies campaign has been intensified with recent program held at the Regional Office attracting many pet owners to vaccinate their animals.
The vaccination exercise was supported by the Government of Ghana, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Animal Health System Strengthening Project, funded by the British Government through DEFRA.
Dr. Kofi Nti Agyarko encouraged pet owners to regularly vaccinate their animals and cooperate with veterinary officers to improve disease surveillance and prevent outbreaks.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to humans through bites or scratches, usually from infected dogs.
Children between the ages of five and fourteen are among the most affected, and once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
Dr. Nti Agyarko commended government efforts to employ more veterinary officers but appealed for improved working conditions and adequate protection for staff.
He also called on authorities to subsidize or provide free post-exposure prophylaxis vaccines for frontline veterinary officers who risk exposure to rabies during their duties.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
