Rabies is Endemic in Arua district

Arua district Veterinary officer, Dr.Willy Nguma is appealing to the ministry of health to quickly intervene to stamp out rabies in the district.

He says all indications are clear that Arua has the highest number of dog bites in the West Nile region.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

The vast majority of rabies cases reported occurs in wild animals like dogs, raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.

A fortnight ago a nine year old boy from Adumi sub-county, Arua district succumbed to Rabies after the parents could not afford the vaccine against the disease.

Dr.Nguma says acquiring the vaccine at a cost has discouraged many people from reporting dog bites to relevant authorities' hence increasing fatalities.